The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have revealed that two days ago, a group of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) infiltrated the country with a mission of attacking and killing Ugandans.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Col Deo Akiiki, the Defence Deputy Spokesperson, revealed that the group is suspected to be under the command of a notorious ADF commander identified as Ahmed Muhamood Hassan aka Abu Waqas, a Tanzanian born ADF bomb expert.
Others include; Muhammed Issa, Amigo Kibirige aka Simba, Muhamad Lumisa, and Nasser Hamid Diiru. One of them is suspected to have been sent by Abu Waqas for the current mission.
He noted that other sister security agencies have been informed, and are on alert.
“We will continue working together to protect Ugandans as we have always done,” he said.
In October, last year, Ten (10) elements of ADF under the command of Kamusi and Njovu infiltrated the country through Kasese district and caused deaths to tourists, attacked Lhubiriha Secondary School where they killed students, burnt a lorry carrying traders and their merchandise.
The terrorists later crossed to Kamwenge district and attacked innocent civilians. Since then, their commander, one Kamusi was killed and his second in command, Njovu, was captured and is currently undergoing trial.
Akiiki said that the group was destroyed and operations have further scattered the ADF elements into the jungles of DR Congo.
He noted that these revenge acts of terrorism were occasioned by sustained joint operations of UPDF and FARDC (Armed Forces of the DR Congo) under Operation Shujaa. Strategic airstrikes were unleashed on ADF and their hideouts in Eastern DR Cingo, in Irumu, Mambasa and later in Komanda about 146 Km from the common border with DR Congo.
He revealed that it is suicidal for the terrorists to continue making terrorist adventures in Uganda.
“Having been hit hard in areas of Kamanda inside DRC, ADF has gone on rampage in DR Congo killing civilians far away from where our forces are jointly operating with FARDC. We are sharing all plans with our counterparts including some of the proposals the two Heads of State, of Uganda and DR Congo, shared on employment of Local Defence groups (LDUs) to stop the killings,” said Akiiki.
He cautioned the public on ADF’s intention to cause mayhem by targeting urban areas, places of worship, schools and public gatherings, to cause mayhem.
“We call upon all citizens to be vigilant, identify and report any suspicious individuals or packages to avoid being victims of ADF terror as we catch up with this group,” said Akiiki.