Kamwenge Fatal Attack: Military, Police Hunt For Suspected ADF Rebels Who Killed 10 Civilians

In the early hours of December 19, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Kyitehurizi village, Kyabandara parish, Kamwenge sub-county, Kamwenge District , as ten suspected ADF rebels armed with SMG rifles attacked and fatally burned and hacked ten civilians.

The victims attacked and killed at 2am on that fateful day include Banyazaki Margaret, 60, an individual identified only as Tugume, a 25-year-old, and eight others yet to be identified. Four were burned in a building containing a bar, shop and hotel while six others were butchered in a maize plantation.

According to Vincent Twesigye the West Rwenzori police spokes person, preliminary findings from the security forces indicate that the assailants targeted Kyitehurizi trading centre, located near Kibale National Park.

He says attackers not only took the lives of the victims but also engaged in looting, breaking into the store of Baguma Richard, 35 years old. The assailants stole 300 kgs of beans, a sack of Irish potatoes, 03 trays of eggs, and 50 kgs of maize from the store. Additionally, they set ablaze a motorcycle with the registration number UFC 851T.

He further explains that following the incident, the assailants fled towards Kibale National Park. Baguma  and the army have both responded to the scene, deploying canine units alongside UPDF personnel to investigate the situation.

Twesigye has urged the public to provide any relevant clues that may aid in the hunt for the suspects. On Tuesday morning, the Uganda People’s Defence Spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye confirmed the incident saying the army is on top of its game to bring the suspects to book.

He explained to journalists that the suspects are believed to be remnants of the ADF rebels who worked under the recently arrested and jailed commander Abdul Rashid alias Njovu .

Njovu was disabled by the military and arrested in November 2023, two other members of the commando group were put out of action.  The gang is accused of murdering a British and a South African couple and their guide in Queen Elizabeth Park on October 17, among other attacks in the country.

Brig Gen Kulayigye said on Tuesday that the latest attackers are currently hiding near Kibaale National park and have been desperate for food and water. He however assured the public that they will be smoked out in no time as the army is heavily on the ground.

“If you recall, we captured one commander of the ADF and killed two others. So the remnants are the ones who are scavenging for food . So they went to Kamwenge to look for food and in the process they killed 10 people including the Woman Councilor and LC 1 Chairman of the area.” he stated

Adding that: “The army has moved in again, because there were squads that were looking for these groups that were scattered at the National Park of Kibaale. We have been trying to hunt them down and that is how we were able to kill the two, recover two guns and capture the ADF Commander.”