Joint forces of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have struck a major blow against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), overrunning a key rebel camp west of River Epulu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and recovering a cache of weapons and bomb-making materials.
The offensive, conducted under the joint military campaign Operation Shujaa, targeted what security sources described as one of the ADF’s significant hideouts in the area.
Military officials said the assault caught the insurgents off guard, resulting in the death of several fighters, while others fled with injuries into the surrounding forest.
During the operation, the joint forces recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs), firearms, a milling machine believed to have been used to fabricate explosive components, and other assorted military equipment.
The discovery of bomb-making materials highlights ongoing concerns about the group’s capacity to stage asymmetric attacks in eastern Congo and across the border.
In a significant humanitarian breakthrough, 12 captives were rescued near Ofayee in the Ndimo area. According to military briefings, the former hostages endured harsh conditions, including forced labour and physical abuse while in rebel captivity.
The rescued individuals are currently undergoing medical assessment and debriefing.
The overall Operation Commander, Maj Gen Stephen Mugerwa, is overseeing the renewed offensive and coordinating directly with field units.
He reiterated the joint forces’ commitment to sustaining pressure on the insurgents until their operational capabilities are decisively dismantled.
Security forces are continuing pursuit operations against remnants of the group that escaped from the River Epulu camp.
Military authorities maintain that denying the ADF safe havens remains central to degrading its logistical networks and command structures.
Launched in November 2021, Operation Shujaa is a coordinated cross-border military campaign between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo targeting ADF elements operating in the Kivu and Ituri regions.
The latest assault signals an escalation in efforts to neutralise the group’s strongholds and disrupt its ability to regroup.