The joint security forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FADRC) have confirmed the infiltration of another group of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) into Uganda with the mission to carry out terrorism attacks.

According to the Deputy UPDF Spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki, the group is suspected to be under the command of a notorious ADF commander, Ahamed Muhamood Hasssan, aka Abu Waqas, a Tanzanian-born ADF bomb expert.

Others were identified as Muhammed Issa, Amigo Kibirige, aka Simba, Muhamad Lumisa, and Nasser Hamid Diiru, and one of them is suspected to have been sent by Abu Waqas for the current mission.

In a statement released on March 18, 2024, Akiiki said that the police and other security teams have been informed to ensure the safety of Ugandans.

“Other sister security agencies have been informed and are on alert, and we will continue working together to protect Ugandans as we have always done. It is simply suicidal for these terrorists to continue making terrorist adventures into Uganda,” the statement read in part.

Akiiki said that local defence units are going to be deployed in order to help beef up security.

“Having been hit hard in areas of Kamanda inside the DRC, the ADF has gone on rampage in the DRC, killing civilians far away from where our forces are jointly operating with FARDC. We are sharing all our plans with our counterparts, including some of the proposals the two heads of state (Uganda and DRC) shared on the deployment of the Local Defence Units (LDUs), to stop these killings,” he stated.

UPDF urged the public to be alert, especially in towns, churches, schools, and other public gatherings, and to report any suspicious individuals and packages.

“The public is therefore informed that the ADF still harbours the intention of sending terror groups into Uganda, especially urban areas, places of worship, schools, and public gatherings, to cause mayhem,” the UPDF said.

In October 2023, UPDF reported ten elements of ADF terrorists under the command of Kamusi and Njovu who infiltrated the country through Kasese district and caused deaths to tourists, attacked Lhubiriha Secondary School and killed students, burned a truck carrying traders with their merchandise, and carried out attacks on civilians in Kamwenge district.

The group’s commander, a one Kamusi was killed, and his second in command, Njovu, was captured and is currently undergoing trial.

The group was destroyed as per the army reports, and their operations were further scattered into the jungles of the DRC.

However, UPDF and FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) under Operation Shujaa and strategic airstrikes say that they will continue to unleash the ADF and their hideouts in areas of the Eastern DRC, in general areas of Irumu, Mambasa, and later in Komanda, about 146 km from the Ugandan common border with the DRC.