The Commander of the UPDF Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa, Major General Dick Olum, has provided an update on the joint effort between the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. The operation, which commenced on November 30, 2021, has resulted in the elimination of 548 ADF rebels, the capture of 50 individuals, and the voluntary surrender of 31 insurgents.
Speaking during a presentation of captured weaponry and equipment from the ADF at the UPDF Mountain Division Headquarters, Muhooti Barracks Fort Portal, Major General Olum highlighted the substantial impact of the operation on the ADF’s capabilities.
“We are rapidly relegating the ADF to history. Their capacity to wage war has been significantly diminished—manpower, armaments, and morale have all been severely depleted,” he affirmed.
In the course of the operation, the UPDF and FARDC have successfully seized 9500 rounds of ammunition and confiscated a range of weaponry. Among the captured arms are 142 submachine guns (SMG), eight pieces of PMK Machine guns, and a piece of 60 millimetres mortar. Additionally, the forces have retrieved 111 military radios from the ADF, along with 45 radio charger ports and 10 batteries.
Olum clarified that these figures do not encompass the armaments and equipment held by the FARDC.
The commander explained, “Our records pertain only to items accounted for and currently within UPDF custody. The FARDC has its own assortment of ADF-captured assets situated in the DRC, potentially doubling the overall tally.”
He added, “Casualties among the ADF include those incapacitated during direct confrontations. Those who evade immediate conflict and perish in remote areas are not part of this count. As such, the actual numbers could potentially surpass the figures we are reporting.”
Amidst the operation, the joint forces have also rescued 156 individuals, including women and children, from the clutches of the ADF insurgents.