A total of 19 people have been rescued from the ADF captives following a joint operation conducted by the UPDF soldiers and Congolese Army in the Eastern DRC.

Maj. Bilal Katamba, the UPDF Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa Spokesperson, said the operation that was conducted at Tingwe Hills, north-east of Erengeti Town in the DRC, yielded the rescue of eight children, nine women, and two men.

They have since been airlifted from the joint base at Bwakadde in Ituri province and are receiving medical care from the UPDF medical team.

Among the women who were rescued is a mother who had delivered a baby two months ago and was left in the bush by her colleagues after failing to maintain the walking pace with her group.

After reporting at Bwakadde, the abductees reported about her, and a joint UPDF/FARDC squad went back and rescued her. According to Capt. Dr. Daniel Okello, the medical officer in charge of Mountain Division Military Hospital, both the baby and the mother are in stable condition.

The Commander of the Land Forces, Lt Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, as he toured the different bases of the joint forces paid a visit to the chiefs in Ituri province, where the traditional and local leaders pledged to support the joint forces to ensure that total peace is achieved in the area.

The Chief of Boga, Omukama Tabaro Kato Kabuga II of the Bannyamboga, applauded the joint forces for the successful joint operation that led to the Bannyamboga returning to their homes after years of displacement.

Chief Tchabi (chef de chefferie des Bi Tchabi), Babanilau Tchabi Etienne, said the IDP camp, which had some 12,000 people, is now empty.

“They all went back to their homes, mostly in Tondoli, Vukeka, Malibongo, and Bukedi. We shall ever be grateful,” Chief Tchabi said.