The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have successfully handed over 22 Congolese nationals who were rescued from the rebels Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) government.
In a reciprocal gesture, the Congolese army has also returned eight Ugandan nationals who were rescued from the same rebel group. The exchange of the captives took place in Kasindi town, DR Congo, as part of the ongoing Operation Shujja in the North Kivu province.
Major General Dick Olum, the overall commander of Operation Shujja, emphasized that the rescued individuals would undergo rehabilitation before their complete reintegration into their respective communities. He stressed the vital role of information sharing between the security forces and the local community members in such operations.
Gen Olum further reported substantial progress in the operation, including the elimination of key rebel leaders and the confiscation of a considerable cache of ammunition. He, however, expressed some reservations about the recovery of the missing students of Mpondwe Lhubiriha Secondary School who were abused by suspected ADF rebels.
Operation Shujja, jointly conducted with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), is ongoing in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, marking a significant effort to combat rebel groups in the region.
