Police on Monday said they were probing a threatening letter purportedly written and signed by an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, while addressing the joint weekly security briefing at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, urged the public to come out and assist the Police in identifying the handwriting on the letter to help them track down its author.

“The letter written in Kiswahili allegedly had plans to attack Kaswa trading centre, Tamteco tea factory, Mpanga tea factory, and Kiamara Primary School. Such terror letters have an implied threat and can be very scary to communities. We want to assure the respective communities about the presence and visibility of our Joint Security Teams. In addition, for them to know that anonymous threats can be from fear mongers within the community,” Enanga said.

He said they had meanwhile, posted a sample of the anonymous letter, for residents in Busoro sub-county to take a look at it.

“If there is anyone who recognises the writing style, we ask them to inform the nearest Police or security agency. All managers of tea factories around the Busoro sub-county, school administrators, and the community have been mobilised to remain vigilant. We ask that you reach out to the nearest security agency, if you see something suspicious or threatening,” Enanga added.

He also said the joint forces of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had killed a notorious ADF commander on Sunday.

“As you are all aware, yesterday, Sunday, June 10, 2023, the Uganda People's Defence Forces, under Operation Shujaa and in coordination with the Armed Forces of the DRC, killed one of the most notorious ADF commanders, identified as Lubangakene, with three of his fighters, during a counter-terrorism operation, in Mwalika Valley in North Kivu Province, Eastern DRC,” he said. 

“Guns were recovered, including a PMK machine gun. The ADF commander was one of the most wanted ADF terrorists for the many atrocities against innocent civilians, including children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The operation is a testament to the joint UPDF/FARDC's capability and reach, to take out terrorists, no matter where they try to hide. We would like to applaud them for a job well done,” Enanga said.

He revealed that the fight against the ADF, both externally and internally continues as their remnants continue to kill, maim, and terrorise communities in the Eastern DR Congo and along Uganda’s western border.

“In Uganda, the joint Police and UPDF cordon and search operation was carried out in Kisege village, Kamgutu sub-county in Ntoroko district, where 34 suspected wrongdoers, not known by local leaders, and without substantive identification documents, were arrested,” Enanga added.

He said security agencies would continue to conduct intensified patrols, especially along entry points that are not gazetted in the districts of Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Kibaale, and Kabarole. 

“This follows incidents where suspicious-looking strangers were sighted in Nyabweya on June 28, 2023, and in Muhwezi village, Burambira parish, in Kabarole district,” Enanga said.