BY JOACKIM KULE
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in a joint operation yesterday rescued five women and five children from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the ongoing operation code-named “Operation Shujaa,” the forces successfully rescued the women and children after a confrontation with ADF terrorists at River Asefu in North Kivu province.
The development was revealed today by Major Bilal Katamba, the
Public Information Officer for the UPDF Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa in a press statement.
According to him, during the firefight, two women were injured and were airlifted to Muhoti Military Barracks for specialized medical care. The malnourished children are also receiving medical attention from the UPDF medical team.
Among those rescued is 32-year-old Jamilah Atukwase Katushabe, who was lured into rebel activities in 2008 from Nabweru Division, Wakiso district. Katushabe was forcibly married to multiple ADF commanders and was reunited with her 6-year-old daughter, Rahima, during the rescue.
Major Katamba says the joint forces continue to pursue the scattered ADF terrorists, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Central Africa Province (ISCAP), an affiliate of ISIS.
ENDS