Security heightened amid ADF terror threats in Rwenzori Region

Kasese, (UG):– Police and sister security agencies have reiterated the commitment to pursue elements of the errant rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) amid continued terror threats in the districts making up the Rwenzori Sub-Region in southwestern Uganda.

Forces Spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga while addressing the media on Monday said: “Due to the ongoing successful UPDF pursuit against the ADF rebels in the Eastern DRC, counter-terrorism task teams continue to remain alert and closely monitor our Western borderline, for potential threats in the Rwenzori area, in coordination without territorial Joint Security Teams.”

Although there is yet no specific intelligence reflecting any new attacks along our Rwenzori axis with the DRC, Mr Enanga affirmed that security teams are monitoring ADF activities in Bukuka Hills across the border in the DRC, as well as acts of insecurity in Lhubirira Kasindi in Goma DRC, that occurred on the 12th of February 2024.

In the wake of the development, Enanga called for public vigilance and openness to report any suspicious activity within their vicinity to the responsible authorities for immediate action.

“We, therefore, call upon the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to our security teams,” he stated, adding that joint territorial teams continue to maintain a heightened posture, with patrols and increased visibility, to counter potential threats.

In one instance, Mr Enanga said the territorial police in Rwenzori East and Mpondwe last Monday, February 12, 2024, at around 3 pm, arrested one Bahati Abdul Razak, a 28-year-old, ADF rebel of Todoli in the DRC, who was part of the group that sneaked into Uganda in November 2023, through Butunya – Ntoroko and carried out attacks in Kamwenge.

Most of his colleagues were eliminated, as operations targeting other remnants continue.

In a separate development, Enanga further revealed the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) last week recovered an 11-year-old, ADF recruit, Kibumbo Munimbu, along Kibirizi village, Lake Katwe sub-county.

Kibumbo according to security had escaped from the ADF in DRC, where he had been taken by his grandfather muzungu Sulaid and 3 other children, from Erapa Nabirimba village, Buyende district.

“The parents of the victim, are Kibumba Muzamil and Nabirye Fatuma. Arrangements are in place to hand over the victim, as we trace for the grandfather, who is an ADF rebel collaborator. We urge all parents to protect their children and stop handing them over to hostile collaborators, who recruit them into terrorist camps,” stated Enanga.