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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces-UPDF and their counterparts of Congo FARDC under Operation Shujaa, has successfully rescued 23 people from the clutches of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists.

Through Operation Shujaa, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and their Congolese colleagues, the FARDC, have successfully freed 23 civilians from the terrorist clutches of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

According to Major Bilal Katamba, the Public Information Officer UPDF Mountain Division/Operation Shujaa, the joint forces engaged with the ADF near River Malibongo, north of Tokomeka in Ituri Province, leading to the rescue of the abductees.

The rescued abductees, comprising 16 females and 7 males, were received at the UPDF tactical headquarters in Luna, Ituri Province, after being extracted from the jungles by the joint mobile forces.

Katamba has noted that among the rescued are 13 minors, including three infants under the age of one, who are severely malnourished.

“A joint medical team is providing emergency care to save their lives. The mothers are also receiving basic medical treatment in the field, with arrangements underway to transfer them to a facility for more comprehensive care. “Katamba.

Operation Shujaa, now in its 31st month, aims to decisively defeat the ADF, a terrorist organization affiliated with Islamic State. Records from UPDF indicated in 2022 alone, 424 ADF terrorists were killed, 81 others were captured, 115 abductees were rescued and 118 firearms with assorted ammunition and 10 IEDs (Improvised explosive devices) were recovered.