Maj Gen Dick Olumu, the Operation Shujaa Commander has handed over, 22 Congolese nationals who were rescued from Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government.

The abductees were handed over to Maj Gen Kasongo Maloba, the Sector Commander of Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in Beni territory, at a function held at Kasindi tactical Headquarters in the DRC.

Olum described the former ADF rebel captives as women, young boys and girls including children that were recruited from the general areas of North Kivu and Ituli provinces.

According to Olumu, the captives were rescued from the ADF camps during Operation Shujaa.

“ADF has really been given a big blow. We have done a lot of achievements but today, we are specifically here to witness a few of those who have been captured in the fight during the Shujaa operation where we rescued women and children,” Olumu said.

Olumu added that, during the operation, they were able to bring back those who were captured from Uganda and taken to Congo and those captured and taken to Uganda, and handed them back to the Congolese government through his counterpart Maj Gen Maloba.

At the same function, Maloba also handed over those Ugandans who were captured in their operations.

Olumu emphasized that they were not doing an exchange program but rather taking back both Ugandans and Congolese to be rehabilitated in their countries, so that they are integrated in their communities.

The Congolese nationals were handed over to Maloba on behalf of the Congolese government while Maloba handed over eight captives to Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). Among the captives rescued, were seven Ugandans and one Ethiopian national.

“Those who have been brought from Beni are eight in number. I’m sure you have looked at how they have been well kept. Today we are trying to see how we can reintegrate them with their families,” Olumu said.

According to Olumu, it’s a matter of time before the ADF is defeated because the joint forces have captured all ADF camps and restored sanity in the Eastern DRC.

He also noted that, it’s the work of FRDC and UPDF to ensure that the population gets to inform them on any activity in this operation.

On August 22, 2023, thirty abductees were rescued following a joint UPDF and FARDC attack in Tingwe Hills in the DRC.