The joint Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), have captured one of the commanders of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.

Al Iraq Anywari, alias AA who is an expert in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was captured during an operation on Saturday in Ituri province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement released on Sunday, Maj Bilal Katamba, public information officer for the UPDF Mountain Division/Operation Shujaa said they also recovered one sub-machine gun (SMG) with 45 rounds of ammunition and an assortment of improvised explosive device (IED) making materials.

According to Katamba, they rescued four children and five women from the terrorist group during the operation and are currently receiving basic medical attention from the forces. He further notes that plans are in place to refer them to a better medical facility for proper management.

Preliminary findings indicate that the captive hails from Busia district in eastern Uganda according to records obtained from the the army. The latest development comes just less than a week after President Yoweri Museveni made changes to the leadership of operations against ADF, replacing Maj Gen Dick Olum with Maj Gen Richard Otto as the commandant.

In November 2021, Uganda and DRC signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a joint military operation code-named Operation Shujaa against the ADF in the eastern part of the country following escalated attacks in both countries.