KAMPALA: Just 14 kilometers slowed down Ugandan army progress in the fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces launched air and artillery strikes on ADF camps on November 3, killing an unidentified number of AFD terrorists.
The ADF is responsible for multiple bomb blasts that engulfed the country last month, leaving three people dead and scores injured.
The UPDF Engineering Brigade working with FARDC, has embarked on opening up the impassable stretch of the main supply route from Mukakati UPDF Forward Operating Base (FOB) up to ease passage through River Semlik Bridge.
“The dilapidated and narrow stretch of 14kms had slowed down the advance of UPDF ground offensive against ADF terrorists,” says Col. Kakurungu, the Ugandan Army spokesman in the DRC.
Addressing the media from Uganda and DRC and various near Semliki Bridge, Col Gbiagolo Antoine, FARDC Sector Operations Commander, said that the joint road construction depicts the true brotherhood of the two military forces and the countries at large, and adding that the road construction will further ease the joint offensive operations against the common enemy.
“We have invited the media to first of all inform the world that we are committed to jointly fight our common enemy ADF and other anti-peace elements. This road construction depicts the true brotherhood between FARDC and UPDF; Uganda and FARDC at large,” he noted.
Representing the UPDF, Col James Kasule, the 111 Mountain Brigade Commander, informed media fraternity that, UPDF is in DRC to support FARDC in eliminating the ADF terrorists who are not only killing and destabilizing DRC but also terroris ing Uganda.
“In support of our brothers, UPDF are happy and willing to jointly eradicate ADF hiding in these thick forests. We want to make sure our two countries are peaceful so that such infrastructural development projects can be realized. We urge the ADF to either surrender or prepare for their total annihilation. We shall hunt them wherever they go,” he warned.
UPDF has been at Mukakati Forward Operating Base for a week, carrying out other military activities that enhance combat readiness against ADF terrorists.
The Civil Military engagements with the surrounding communities have enabled UPDF to inform the public the objective of being in Congo and this has enabled it to win the hearts and minds of the community.