UPDF Kills 43 ADF In Congo
Nov 16, 2002
At least 43 ADF rebels were killed when the UPDF raided two camps in Ituri forest, DR Congo, about a fortnight ago.
By Allan Turyaguma
& Emmanuel Mulondo
in Kamango, DR Congo
At least 43 ADF rebels were killed when the UPDF raided two camps in Ituri forest, DR Congo, about a fortnight ago.
Second Division chief Col. Potel Kivuna said this while conducting journalists in the Congo jungles on Thursday.
He said the battles took place in Bunduguya II, in the DRC’s North Kivu province about 40km from the common border.
Decomposing bodies of the dead rebels were exhumed by the soldiers for the benefit of the journalists. The bodies were buried facing north and lying on the sides.
Present at the press briefing were the UPDF Alpine brigade chief, Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo, Capt. Romeo Ndyabagye and Lt. Naboth Mwesigwa, the 2nd Division intelligence officer and special investigations branch officer respectively.
Lt. Col. Dan Opito, the chief of the 55th battalion which carried out the operation, said the battles took place on October 25 and 26. One battle took place 4km away from Kamango, the Alpine Brigade’s tactical headquarters.
Abandoned blankets, saucepans, plates cups and other household property used by the rebels littered the scenes. The journalists were also shown banana plantations and millet gardens which the rebels had reportedly planted in the forest.
The officers estimated the rebel remnants at 150. “We first got wind that the rebels were regrouping from the wananchi (civilians) and we launched a hunt until we landed on them,†Mawa said.
He said a UPDF soldier was killed while seven others sustained injuries in the battles.
He said UPDF renegade colonels Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale, had also been sighted in Butembo, DR Congo.
The informants who were introduced to the press said alleged agents of former presidential candidate Col Kizza Besigye had been in the area talking to residents.
Kivuna said the UPDF would not allow the ADF and other rebels in Congo to destabilise Uganda again. He expressed concern that some of the rebels had a lot of US dollars, which they were using to buy food and information from locals.
“We are wondering how these rebels deep in the jungles get access to dollars,†he said.
Ends
& Emmanuel Mulondo
in Kamango, DR Congo
At least 43 ADF rebels were killed when the UPDF raided two camps in Ituri forest, DR Congo, about a fortnight ago.
Second Division chief Col. Potel Kivuna said this while conducting journalists in the Congo jungles on Thursday.
He said the battles took place in Bunduguya II, in the DRC’s North Kivu province about 40km from the common border.
Decomposing bodies of the dead rebels were exhumed by the soldiers for the benefit of the journalists. The bodies were buried facing north and lying on the sides.
Present at the press briefing were the UPDF Alpine brigade chief, Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo, Capt. Romeo Ndyabagye and Lt. Naboth Mwesigwa, the 2nd Division intelligence officer and special investigations branch officer respectively.
Lt. Col. Dan Opito, the chief of the 55th battalion which carried out the operation, said the battles took place on October 25 and 26. One battle took place 4km away from Kamango, the Alpine Brigade’s tactical headquarters.
Abandoned blankets, saucepans, plates cups and other household property used by the rebels littered the scenes. The journalists were also shown banana plantations and millet gardens which the rebels had reportedly planted in the forest.
The officers estimated the rebel remnants at 150. “We first got wind that the rebels were regrouping from the wananchi (civilians) and we launched a hunt until we landed on them,†Mawa said.
He said a UPDF soldier was killed while seven others sustained injuries in the battles.
He said UPDF renegade colonels Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale, had also been sighted in Butembo, DR Congo.
The informants who were introduced to the press said alleged agents of former presidential candidate Col Kizza Besigye had been in the area talking to residents.
Kivuna said the UPDF would not allow the ADF and other rebels in Congo to destabilise Uganda again. He expressed concern that some of the rebels had a lot of US dollars, which they were using to buy food and information from locals.
“We are wondering how these rebels deep in the jungles get access to dollars,†he said.
Ends