Police have apprehended a 27-year-old man identified as Matsiko Farouk, on suspicion of having ties to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Matsiko Farouk was residing in Kafunda cell, Ibanda Municipality, when he was taken into custody on the 23rd of October, 2023. The arrest followed reports that he was potentially a victim of mistaken identity.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says that Matsiko was allegedly kidnapped, along with five others, in 2015 by the ADF at the perilous River Nyamwamba in Kasese. He was then transported to the Kilembe highlands of Mount Rwenzori, deep into the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he underwent training to become an Intelligence Officer for the notorious rebel group.
He says Matsiko, well-versed in various areas including Bundibugyo, Bwera, Luwero, and Najjanankumbi, claims that he managed to escape from the California ADF Camp in 2018. He courageously made his way back to his home village in Kafunda cell, Ibanda district, where he had been residing. He later shifted to Nyanga cell, Mahyoro sub-county in Kitagwenda district, taking on casual work.
In a separate and equally compelling development, the territorial police in Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala, have taken into custody an 18-year-old individual, Komaketch Ransur, known by the alias Kadogo. He was found in possession of live ammunitions, and upon questioning, he revealed an even more disturbing story.
Enanga says Komaketch who had been recruited into the ADF at a tender age of 7, admitted to his association with the rebel group. After enduring years of hardship, he miraculously managed to escape from an ADF camp situated in the Congo and successfully returned to Uganda.