Uganda, Congo joint troops capture ADF  airfield in Ituri

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are on the run from the Uganda and DR Congo joint armed forces following the reported capture of the former's airfield in Boga, Ituri province in DR Congo.

The commander of land forces under the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced this latest development in the war against ADF terrorists on Wednesday (February 9).

"I'm glad to announce that the joint FARDC (Congolese army)/UPDF forces have captured the airfield in Bogo, Ituri Province. ADF are running as fast as they can before our invincible troops! Victory is ours!" he tweeted.

Phase two starts

On Tuesday (February 8) early morning,  UPDF started phase two of Operation Shujaa by launching artillery strikes on ADF camps in Ituri.

“We expect many casualties in their camps like it was during the first attack,” a source told New Vision on Tuesday, without divulging details.

That day Kainerugaba also tweeted confirming the artillery attack on ADF camps in Ituri.

On November 30 last year, UPDF launched air and artillery attacks from Uganda before entering eastern DR Congo, where they launched a joint assault with the Congolese army against ADF fighters under the first phase of Operation Shujaa.

The UPDF Operation Shujaa commander, Maj. Gen.Kayanja Muhanga, early in January announced that they were planning to launch a second phase of the offensive against the ADF in DR Congo.

Addressing journalists from Bundibugyo shortly after visiting Kambi Ya Yua that the joint forces captured from ADF, Muhanga said; “we have now transited into a second phase where we will pursue the ADF by foot.”

He said the documents that were discovered by the joint forces indicate that Kambi Ya Yua had 624 fighters and that its destruction was a clear setback to the ADF extremists.

Defence ministers

On January 27, the Uganda and Congolese defence ministers met in Kampala to discuss and review the progress of operation Shujaa.

This was the second time the defence ministers of the two countries were meeting over the ongoing joint assault against ADF rebels and security issues affecting the two countries.

Uganda’s minister of defence and veterans affairs, Vincent Ssempijja, first met his counterpart of DR Congo, Dr. Gilbert Kabanda on December 8 – 9, 2021, in Bunia, DR Congo.

The Kampala meeting, which took place at Protea Hotel, discussed matters related to defence and security of both states and reviewed the progress of the Joint UPDF/FARDC Operation Shujaa, a statement from the defence ministry said.

“The meeting at was preceded by that of the respective Chiefs of Defence Forces; Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi (UPDF), and Gen. Celestin Mbala Musese (FARDC),” the statement said.

Prior to the meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Forces, an Expert Working Group composed of  General Officers and Senior Officers from UPDF and FARDC was appointed to discuss the finer details of the matters related to Defence and Security of both states.

The group worked from January 24 – 26, and produced a report that was adopted by the defence ministers and their respective Chiefs of Defence Forces on Thursday.

The experts’ meeting was co-chaired by Maj. Gen. Dick Olum, Uganda’s Defence Attaché to DR Congo and Maj. Gen. Bombele Lohola Camille, the Coordinator of the Joint FARDC - UPDF Operations in DR Congo.

Speaking during the meeting, Ssempijja welcomed efforts by both UPDF and FARDC aimed at developing plans and strategies on how to confront the common security threats which are affecting the two countries.

"Our firm cooperation, therefore, delays the faceless threats which have to be denied an opportunity to freely operate in our countries," Ssempijja was quoted as saying.
He further observed the need to firmly establish and operationalise all structures of cooperation between UPDF and FARDC to ensure the success of the ongoing joint operations against ADF extremists.

On his part, Gen. Musese said the meeting offers a new opportunity to both countries to improve the ongoing joint operations in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.

He said the main focus is the stability of the region which will bring about peace and socio-economic development of the respective countries.

In attendance also were; Ambassador designate of Uganda to Kinshasa, Amb. Farid Kallisa, the Charge d'Affaires of the DR Congo in Uganda, Amb. Jean Pierre Masala, and Maj. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, the UPDF Operation Shujaa commander.

The meeting among others assessed the tactical, operational and strategic progress of the ongoing UPDF/FARDC joint operation in eastern DR Congo (Operation Shujaa) and examined the measures to be implemented for securing the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Kasindi-Beni-Butembo and the Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma roads in eastern DR Congo.

The meeting observed that the joint UPDF/FARDC operations were progressing well, despite the challenges of difficult terrain, poor road network, and long lines of communication and supply.

The experts also acknowledged the importance of sectorisation of the theatre of the operation in order to increase the operation tempo and further degrade the capabilities of the ADF.

The Joint Commanders of Operation Shujaa (Maj. Gen. Muhanga and Maj. Gen. Camille) highlighted the operation successes since its inception on November 30, 2021, including the capture of the ADF position of Kambi Ya Yua and destruction of the Tondoli, Belu I and Belu II camps by air and artillery strikes.

They also talked about the rehabilitation of the Nobili -Kamango-Mbau road by the engineering units of the two forces; establishment of a ferry on the River Semuliki, linking Haibale on the Ugandan side and Burasi on the DR Congo side and rescue of 31 hostages.