Uganda Army ‘Ready for any Eventuality’ as ADF Kills 16 in Beni

The Uganda armed forces are keeping an eye on unfolding security developments in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters killed 14 soldiers and two civilians on Saturday.

The incident occurred on the streets of Beni at around 5:00pm.

The rebels have for long maintained a siege on Beni town, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Uganda’s Defence Spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire said the UPDF is prepared to act.

“We are always ready for any eventuality,” he told ChimpReports on Monday when asked about the army’s preparedness I the wake of the attacks across the DRC border.

Beni town is just a two-hour drive from the Ugandan border.

Despite launching attacks on ADF’s bases by the UPDF and Congolese forces, the rebel movement continues to carry out sporadic attacks in DRC.

Brig Karemire said there would be “continued vigilance since we are fully aware of  ADF presence in some parts of Eastern DRC.”

Ugandan armed forces late last year carried our aerial bombardments of ADF territory, killings hundreds of fighters.

President Museveni recently said ADF, whose leader, Jamil Mukulu, is jailed at Luzira Prison on charges of treason and terrorism, would be pursued and defeated.

Gen Thomas D. Walderhauser, Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and CDF Gen David Muhoozi on July 11 quoted intelligence reports showing ADF militants were regrouping and preparing for an attack.

“The two military leaders took note of the continued threat by the Allied Democratic Front (ADF) now active in Eastern DRC and reaffirmed their readiness to keep engaged on the matter in collaboration with the DRC authorities,” read a statement from UPDF.

North Kivu remains a hotbed of armed movements that have kept the region mired in endless conflicts.