UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have successfully rescued five women and five children from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during a joint operation on September 8.
According to Maj Bilal Katamba, the spokesperson of Operation Shujaa, the rescue occurred as part of the ongoing “Operation Shujaa,” a coordinated effort against the ADF, at River Asefu in North Kivu province.
“During a firefight with the ADF terrorists, two women were injured and were airlifted to Muhoti Military Barracks for specialized medical care. The rescued children, who were found malnourished, are also receiving medical attention from the UPDF medical team,” Maj Katamba said.
He said among those rescued is Atukwase Katushabe Jamilah, a 32-year-old woman who was coerced into joining the rebel activities in 2008 from Nabweru Division, Wakiso District.
He noted that Katushabe who had been forcibly married to multiple ADF commanders, was reunited with her 6-year-old daughter, Rahima, during the operation.
“The joint forces continue to pursue the remaining ADF terrorists, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Central Africa Province (ISCAP), an affiliate of ISIS.”
