Major General Muhanga Kayanja, the overall commander of operation shujaa says they have now transited into a second phase where they will pursue the ADF by foot.
The Uganda
Peoples Defence Forces-UPDF and the Congolese Army have launched the second phase
of their operations against the Allied Democratic Forces-ADF rebels.
The forces say they have concluded the first phase of the operation after the
combined troops captured the ADF camp in the thick forests of DRC.
Major General Muhanga Kayanja, the overall commanderofoperation shujaa says they have now transited into a second
phase where they will pursue the ADF by foot.
Addressing
journalists in Bundibugyo on Saturday, Muhanga said the documents that were
discovered by the joint forces indicate that the camp had 624 and its
destruction is a clear setback to the group.
//Cue in: “We captured it…
Cue out: …everywhere they are."//
However, Muhanga mentioned that the forces are being challenged by the rough
terrain and diseases affecting the personnel due to the thickness of the
jungle. He adds that the long lines of
communication between Kampala and their operation field is hampering the timely
delivery of logistics.
//Cue in: “Jungle with deep…
Cue out: …no roads in Congo.”//
Muhanga
maintains that the mission’s priority is to eliminate the ADF rebels and allow
the return of lasting peace and commercial activities in the northeastern
part of the DRC.
The ADF has for several years operated in the volatile North Kivu which borders
other provinces including Ituri to the north and South Kivu to the South and
has been a battleground for a number of rival armed ethnic groups since
1998.
The province consists of three cities including; Goma, Butembo, and Beni as well
as six territories--Beni, Lubero, Masisi, Rutshuru.
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the group has
used the name Madina at Tauheed Wau Mujahedeen- City of Monotheism and Holy
Warriors--MTM to refer to emphasize its links to the Islamic State.
ADF has been blamed for the recent attacks in Kampala that leftover seven
people dead.
The joint operations against the Allied Democratic Forces in Central African
province, started last month when the combined UPDF Air Force and artillery
shelled Kambi Ya Yua, Tondoli, Belu1, and Belu2 which are found in North Kivu
province in Virunga and Ituri impenetrable forests of Eastern DRC.
