The Ugandan government has dismissed appeals from Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) to enter into talks with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of Information and National Guidance, stated that there is nothing to discuss with the terrorist group suspected of carrying out a horrendous attack on Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School in the border district of Kasese.
This comes after UPC Spokesperson Sharon Arach stated that prior peace discussions, such as the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) engaging Omusinga of Rwenzururu Kingdom Charles Wesley Mumbere to negotiate peace and amnesty for the ADF’s misled youths.
“Because Omusinga Wesley Mumbere is an opinion leader, the government should consider talking to him.” “He can persuade some youths who have been recruited into rebel activities to return and be granted Amnesty before being rehabilitated to return to their communities,” Arach added.
However, Dr. Baryomunsi states that there is nothing to talk about with the extremist Islamist group since it has no political objective.
“We had peace talks with LRA because they had political objectives. The ADF have no political objective and for now, the Ugandan government is not ready for peace talks with the ADF rebels operating in eastern Congo. We are going to continue to pursue them,” he stated.
According to Baryomunsi, unlike other rebel organizations with whom the government has reached an agreement, the ADF is a terror organization backed by the internationally sanctioned Islamic State terror organization.
On Friday, June 17, 2023, suspected ADF militants attacked Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School, killing 43 individuals, 37 of whom were students.
