Churches, bars on alert as ADF Militants cross to Uganda

March 19, 2024 8:52 PM

Ugandan security forces are on edge following the reported infiltration of the country by fighters affiliated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to the Islamic State.

UPDF Spokesman Deo Akiiki

According to the UPDF, the militants entered the country over the weekend and pose a significant threat to urban areas, places of worship, schools, and public gatherings.

The public has been urged by the military to exercise increased vigilance "to avoid being victims of ADF terror."

This heightened alert comes amidst a long-standing struggle between Ugandan authorities and the ADF. The rebel group, formed in the 1990s by individuals dissatisfied with the government's treatment of Muslims, has a history of violence within Uganda. However, after suffering military defeat, remnants of the ADF fled across the border to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a renewed effort to dismantle the ADF, Uganda and the DRC launched a joint offensive in 2021 aimed at flushing the militants out of their Congolese strongholds. Despite President Yoweri Museveni's claims of success in eliminating numerous ADF fighters, including commanders, the group continues to launch attacks within Uganda.

The brutal massacre of schoolchildren in western Uganda last June and the killings of a honeymooning couple and a tour guide in a national park last October stand as grim testaments to the ADF's ongoing threat.

Deo Akiiki, the UPDF’s deputy spokesperson said the infiltrating group may be led by Ahamed Muhamood Hassan, also known as Abu Waqas, a Tanzanian-born bomb-making expert associated with the ADF. This potentially indicates a more sophisticated and destructive capability within the insurgent group.

In response to this immediate danger, the Ugandan army has issued a public plea. Ugandan citizens are encouraged to be alert and report any suspicious individuals or unattended packages to the authorities. This collaborative effort is crucial in "catching up with this group" and preventing further attacks.