The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has killed two suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists and injured another believed to be responsible for recent attacks in the Kamwenge District.
The individuals, whose identities remain unknown, were killed during a firefight with UPDF soldiers at 9 AM on Wednesday in the Kiziba Zone, Kiziba parish in Kamwenge District.
During a joint security briefing on Wednesday, Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police spokesperson, stated that the terrorists, remnants of ADF rebels, engaged in a violent confrontation with the soldiers, resulting in a firefight. Importantly, no civilians or military officers were injured or killed in the incident.
Enanga explained that the village where the exchange occurred is adjacent to Nyabitutsi village, where a recent attack took place, resulting in the death of a 75-year-old woman and her two grandchildren who were burned to death.
“We had a successful aggressive pursuit this morning where the UPDF managed to neutralize two terrorists and injure the third one,” Enanga stated.
The suspected rebels had raided Nyabitutsi village in Businge parish, Kamwenge sub-county, on Christmas night, torching a house in which three people, including Adrine Ngwabiiji, 75, and her two unidentified grandchildren, died. The attackers also stole ten goats and five cows.
Enanga mentioned that the UPDF has reinforced deployment in areas around the the region to eliminate ADF remnants terrorizing and stealing from locals.
This incident occurred nearly a week after suspected ADF rebels killed 10 people in the Kibaale forest. Six victims were watching over their gardens, while four others were stationed in a building containing a bar.
In response to the attacks, President Museveni instructed security forces to reinstate Local Defence Units (LDUs). “Due to the recurring atrocities by infiltrators from Congo, I have directed the UPDF to reactivate LDUs in areas surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Parks, Kibaale Forests, Kyenjojo and Kagadi forests, Semuliki National Park, and Bwindi National Park,” Museveni stated on Wednesday last week.
Starting Wednesday, the UPDF began recruiting 1,440 local defense personnel in the districts of Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, Bunyangabo, Kyenjojo, and Kasese. The recruitment will be conducted in two phases, with Phase 1 running from December 27 to January 10, 2024, covering the districts of Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, and Bunyangabo. Phase 2 will cover the districts of Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, and Kasese and will begin immediately after Phase 1, following the same procedures. The mobilization and recruitment will be conducted in 60 parishes/wards according to the quota system, with each parish/ward contributing 12 recruits, totaling 720 personnel in Phase 1.