The UPDF and FARDC forces are closing in on ADF hideouts following works by the UPDF engineering brigade that have started opening impassable roads in the Eastern Democratic of Congo.
The road from Mukakati, where the UPDF has set up its forward operating base has been impassable but works on the access roads are almost complete which will ease ground offensive on the terrorists.
Two weeks ago, the UPDF, in a joint operation with DRC forces, launched a series of strikes against the Allied Democratic Forces-ADF terrorists in neighboring Congo.
The operation is intended to drive the militants out of their bases and break their will to fight. This comes after a series of terror attacks in different parts of Uganda, all of which were carried out by ADF terrorists.
The Mukakati Forward operating Base lies in the middle of Ituri Forest which is 18km from the Uganda-DRC Border at Busunga. The road had hindered the UPDF ground offensive against Allied Democratic Force-ADF rebels. The road construction work is jointly done by UPDF and FARDC Engineers.
The construction works were on Friday flagged off by Col. James Kasule, the Operation Commander shujaa, and Col. Gbiabagolo Antionio from the Congolese Defence Forces.
Speaking to journalists in Mukakati, Col. Kasule said that the works will take two to three days in which they will have cleared part of the road. This means the works are nearly complete.
Col. Antionio said that the joint collaboration with the UPDF is moving on well and is optimistic that the ADF rebels will be no more in the area.
He added that the road is crucial because it will enable the two armies to move deeper in the forests where the ADF has several bases.
Meanwhile, the Joint Forces of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have captured 34 Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists, destroyed four camps and rescued 31 Congolese hostages.
In a joint statement signed by UPDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso and Gen. Major Kasonga Cibangu Leon Richard of FARDC "the two forces bring to the attention of the opinion the preliminary results of the airstrikes and artillery of November 30, 2021 shows 31 Congolese hostages were released, 34 ADF terrorists captured and 4 enemy camps destroyed.”
Surrender or Perish
This comes moments after the Commander Land Forces (CLF) Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba appealed to the ADF combatants to surrender in order to be given a second chance.
Through his Twitter handle, Gen Kainerugaba noted that most of the ADF leaders had fled, urging their fighters to surrender for safety.
"To ADF combatants. You have seen what we (the joint UPDF/FARDC forces) are capable of. Operation Shujaa will continue until your terrorism ends. Many of your 'leaders' have already fled the bush and abandoned you to your fate," Gen Kainerugaba tweeted Friday morning.
Gen Kainerugaba who is also the senior presidential advisor on special operations added: "surrender now before it's too late. The joint forces will receive you and give you a second chance."
