The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Commander of Land Forces, Lt. General Kayanja Muhanga has handed over 34 Congolese citizens who were rescued from Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
These were received by Brigadier General Gbiagolo Ngando commander of the Antoine sector under the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga handed over the abductees that included women and children at Muhooti Barracks 3 km from Fort Portal City in Kabarole district under tight security.
Maj. Gen Dick Olum commander of Operation Shujaa said that the abductees confirmed were taken by ADF rebels.
“They were in hard-to-reach places and we brought them by helicopter,” Olum said.
He revealed that ADF rebels captured during the recent attack on the Ntoroko District are still in rehabilitation centers in Uganda.
The UPDF, along with the Congolese Army (FARDC), has been conducting joint operations since November 2021 in Eastern Congo, where several ADF rebels have surrendered.
Gbiagolo said they would be reunited to their families .
Muhanga said ADF rebels had been driven out of most strongholds over the past 14 months.
In December, ADF rebels crossed the Semuliki River from the DRC and attacked the Bweramule Sub-county in Ntoroko district, killing four people, including a UPDF soldier.
However they were repulsed by UPDF soldiers, many of whom were killed or captured during the operation.
