Ugandan army spokesperson welcomes results of joint operations against ADF
Uganda Army (UPDF) Spokesperson Major General Felix Kulayigye spoke at a ceremony in Kampala to introduce the freed hostages and surrendered ex-combatants. He expressed satisfaction with the results achieved in joint operations with the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in the Beni region of North Kivu, and of Ituri.
One of the main results highlighted by Major General Felix Kulayigye is the release of many children taken hostage by the ADF. These operations allowed the children to leave the bush and prevented the ADF from controlling the region. The ADF had taken possession of the fields, chased the children from school and closed the churches. Thanks to joint operations, businesses have resumed, roads have reopened and students will be able to return to school. Major General Felix Kulayigye expresses his gratitude to the military for freeing these children and for the results achieved.
Furthermore, General Major Felix Kulayigye highlights the dismantling of the ADF command thanks to these joint operations. A major ADF commander was eliminated and the others fled into the bush. Some fighters were captured and others surrendered. The main objective of the operations was to dismantle the command and control of the ADF, and according to General Major Felix Kulayigye, this objective was achieved.
In order to evaluate the results of the joint operations, a new evaluation session will be organized in Kampala from August 25 to 30. Experts and commanders of joint operations will participate, as well as the chiefs of staff of the two countries. The meeting will be closed by the respective defense ministers. This evaluation will focus on the third phase of operations, which took place in the Boga, Chabi and Kainama axes, after the previous phases which targeted the southern and central axes, notably Mayangose and Mwalika.
The joint operations between the UPDF and the FARDC against the ADF are an example of effective collaboration in the fight against armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They made it possible to free hostages and dismantle terrorist cells, thus contributing to the security and stability of the region.