UPDF | FARDC | ADF

Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have extended Operation Shujaa against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) for two months. 

Military sources said the decision was reached after two days of assessment of the operation, nine months since Uganda deployed troops in eastern DR Congo. 

“This decision was taken after two days of assessment work for the third phase and planning for the fourth of these joint operations, held in Fort Portal,” military sources said. 

This is the second time the operation is being extended. In May, the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) signed an agreement extending the operation timeline that had expired for another two months. 

The May extension was due to expire at the end of this month. 

To maintain operations, military sources said that another review meeting between Ugandan and Congolese commanders was convened over the weekend in Fort Portal city.

During the weekend meeting, the Congolese army delegation was led by the commander of FARDC in charge of Operation Shujaa (Sukola Grand-Nord), Maj. Gen. Camille Ehola Bombelle while Maj. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga led Uganda’s. 

In a statement issued by Bombele, the review meeting noted: “All major strongholds of the ADF rebels have been destroyed and conquered by the two forces since the launch of these operations.” 

Bombele added that during these two months, the joint forces of Uganda and DR Congo “will put an end to all armed groups, including the ADF, even before the expiry of this period.” 

The operation areas for the joint forces, Bombele added, will be in the territories of Beni in North Kivu and Irumu in Ituri, where ADF has bases.

Operation Shujaa was launched on November 30, 2021 with the bombardment of ADF bases in eastern Congo. 

“Since the beginning of Operation Shujaa, a lot has been achieved. We defeated the ADF, who had many camps, Abia 1 and 2, Belu 1 and 2, Loselose, Kambi Ya Yua around the confluence of River Semuliki and Njerube,” Muhanga said during the launch of phase 3 in May.

“Other successes include the return of displaced people to their homes, opening of schools, hospitals, churches and mosques. All these camps near our border, where ADF used to train and plan attacks, have been destroyed. So far, the enemy’s network has been dealt with.”