Three ADF Suspects Arrested in Mbale & Bukedea as Uganda Joint Security Forces Intensify Counter Terror Operations

Uganda’s Joint Security Forces have arrested three suspected terrorists, members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) from Mbale and Bukedea.

According to police, the three suspects highly linked to the attacks on police stations in December 2022, were arrested during September, 17-19, 2023 operations.

Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, said the suspects had escaped from the central region, and established a terror cell in Mbale, after their leader was killed in Mityana.

He further revealed that in another operation, the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Team, in coordination with Wamala region and Kyankwanzi police, on September 21, 2023, arrested 2 high profile ADF elements in Bikooma village, Kyenda Trading Centre Butemba sub-county in Kyankwanzi district. 

He identified the suspects as Lusiba Farouk and Nandaula Zura. He noted that these had acquired a 1.5 acre piece of land after escaping from Lwengo district.

The suspects have been transferred to Kampala for further processing and court action.

The arrests come at the backdrop of UPDAF air strikes in Eastern DR Congo, on September 09, 2023. It was reported that several ADF rebels including Meddie Nkalubo, a notorious ADF commander, were killed by the air strikes.

This followed accurate reconnaissance and multiple streams of intelligence, the Ugandan joint security forces say.

The now deceased Meddie Nkalubo is said to have been one of the perpetrators of the deadly bomb attacks at Komamboga, on the bus at Mpigi, CPS and Parliament Avenue.

The death of Nkalubo who, according to sources in security, was key to the planning and coordination of ADF terrorist operations, has dealt a significant blow to the group and will degrade their ability.

Meanwhile Uganda Police Force have noted that they will continue to monitor all spaces in villages, urban centres and towns, where ADF remnants are hiding, calling upon them to surrender.

“The counter-terror operations are active and ongoing against violent extremists, who pose serious threats of safety and security of Ugandans. We do thank all our dedicated counter-terrorism teams for the disruptive operations against ADF,” Enanga said.