ADF Attacks: UPDF Recruits LDUs In Rwenzori Region

Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has started recruiting Local Defense Units (LDUs) personnel in the districts of Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, Bunyangabo, Kyenjojo and Kasese following recent Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacks in Rwenzori subregion.

The move follows a directive from president Museveni to recruit Local Defence Units in the areas surrounding Kibale National Park and Greater Rwenzori Sub-region, in order to protect communities against ADF terrorists.

According to Defence spokesperson Felix Kulayigye, the recruitment will be done in two phases with the first running from today Wednesday, December 27th, 2023 to January 10th, 2024.

“The recruitment will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 will run from 27th December 2023 to 10th January 2024. This will cover the districts of Kamwenge, Kitagwenda and Bunyangabo,”he said.

The second phase which will begin immediately after the first will cover the districts of Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Kasese. 

Kulayigye says the recruitment will be conducted in sixty parishes and each will contribute 12 recruits, making a total of 720 personnel in the first phase.

“The mobilisation and recruitment will be conducted in sixty (60) Parishes/Wards according to the Quota system. Each Parish/Ward shall contribute 12 recruits, making a total of 720 personnel in phase 1,” he added.

Attacks  

Suspected ADF terrorists on Christmas Day carried out a fresh attack in Kamwenge district, western Uganda, killing at least three people.

The attack occurred in Nyabitutsi village in Businge parish, Kamwenge sub-county.

The incident came just a week after suspected ADF militants killed 10 people in the area.

The Congo-based ADF militants have been sneaking into Uganda to terrorise innocent civilians.

British citizen David Barlow and his South African wife Emmaretia Geyer were shot dead on their honeymoon in Uganda on October 17, 2023.

The tourists were on a visit to see gorillas and other primates at the Queen Elizabeth National Park when they were killed in an attack by the ADF.

“On account of these repeated atrocities by these infiltrators from Congo, I have directed the UPDF to reactivate the force of the LDUs in the areas surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Parks, Kibaale Forests, the forests in Kyenjojo and Kagadi, Semuliki National Park and Bwindi National Park,” said Museveni in a statement last Wednesday.

“Since the terrorists cowardly attack soft targets in the form of unarmed civilians, we are reactivating our old method of transforming the village soft targets into lethal local hard points,” he added.

The Defence Ministry said all recruits must be Ugandan citizens ready to offer voluntary service and must be between the age of 18 to 45. 

Recruits must be physically fit and in possession of at least a primary leavers certificate and signed letters of recommendation from the LC1Chairperson, Defence Secretary and DISO/GISO.

The mobilisation will be conducted by the Resident District Commissioner, Deputy Resident District Commissioners, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Uganda Police Force, Internal Security Organisation, LC1 Chairpersons and Secretaries for Defence.