The Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) has handed to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) over 50 abductees rescued from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). 

Maj Bilal Katamba, the Public Information Officer of the Rwenzori-based UPDF Mountain Division, said the Congolese, comprising 44 females were handed over on January 26, the NRM Liberation Day.

Representing Uganda, Major General Dick Olum, the overall Commander Operation Shujaa presented the group to the FARDC Beni Sector Second in Command Colonel Ekoko Bokeon who represented the Sector Commander in Kasindi, North Kivu Province, in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"They (rescued) had received counselling, rehabilitation, and skills in Kampala to help them resettle in their communities with necessary life skills," Maj Katamba, who also doubles as the publicist for Operation Shujaa, a UPDF/FARDAC joint offensive against the ADF, said in a January 27 statement.

"Maj Gen Olum urged them the former abductees to be ambassadors of peace and utilize the life skills they attained to improve their livelihood for prosperity in their homes and communities," Katamba added. 

One of the rescued abductees on behalf of her colleagues, thanked the UPDF/FARDC for rescuing and rehabilitating them and facilitating efforts to rejoin them with their families and communities.

This is the 3rd time the UPDF is handing over rescued abductees to FARDC having handed over 34 and 26 rescued abductees in February and September 2023, respectively bringing the total number to 110 since the operation began.

FARDC also handed over four Ugandans including 03 males who were rescued from ADF.