“ADF terrorists are still in Congo. However, if they dare cross the border, they know what happened to them last time in 2006. Over 100 of them entered Semliki valley, only 13 went back to Congo” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on NRM Day 2013 (New Vision, 31.01.2013).
When you have been in office for decades certain promises gets lost in time. Mr. Yoweri have promised everything possible to man and as a head of state he pledged more than most. The old man with the hat, Mzee and his security agencies aren’t as profound or as great as he claims. Because, they usually tends to assault, torture and harass unarmed civilians. They are not used to stop terrorists or trained armed personnel.
Now, what is striking is that ADF have continued to exist in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Where they have held bases and trained militia members. They have killed civilians and served atrocities. It is not like they we’re totally out or destroyed. Yes, some of the leaders have been arrested and others too. There been reports of FARDC ambushes of camps and getting rid of parts of the ADF-NALU militia. However, they have still been able to recruit and gain enough support to be kept alive. Therefore, the statement of Museveni was dead at a still-birth.
So… in 2021 the ADF-NALU followed the old challenge of His Excellency and they have returned with a vengeance.
In 2021:
“Last Saturday, a home-made bomb exploded in a northerly Kampala suburb, Kawempe, killing a 20-year-old waitress and injuring scores. Police described the attack as an “act of domestic terrorism” which, under Uganda’s Anti-Terrorism Act, enacted in 2012 and revised in 2017, means any of 10 crimes committed to influence government or intimidate the public” (Tabu Butagira – ‘Inside ADF terror threat over Uganda, neighbours’ 26.10.2021, Daily Monitor).
“KAMPALA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) — Uganda on Tuesday said the recent bombing in the central part of the country was planted by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group holed up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in a statement issued by the State House said the bomb that went off on a bus traveling to western Uganda was planted by the ADF” (Xinhua – ‘Ugandan president says bus bombing plotted by ADF’ 26.10.2021).
“ At a press conference on Tuesday, Uganda police spokesman Fred Enanga said that the commander of the Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF) Mohammad Nkalubo coordinated the bombings. Enanga also said that the police caught three men who were involved in organizing the attacks. “So far, we have managed to arrest three collaborators who received money from ADF sources and distributed it among the recipients, their operatives and agents in the country.” (…) “Great Lakes security analyst Dismas Nkunda said it shouldn’t be surprising if the ADF reports are correct, given that the group is based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The group has been operating in the DRC for the past 20 years after being ousted from Uganda. Authorities say the group is expanding to other countries in the region. Nkunda says the explosions could show new aggression from the ADF. “This will be a new chapter in understanding what the conflict in Uganda will be like if it is a terrorist organization seeking to inflict maximum harm.”” (Nation World – ‘Uganda Police Blame ADF Rebel Group for Capital Explosions’ 26.10.2021).
We are seeing here two incidents where the ADF are claimed to be involved in terrorist attacks. One in Kawempe, Kampala and the other on a bus travelling to Western Uganda. This is worrying, as the state has several of outfits who deals with intelligence gathering. These are the ones that is monitoring people and following leads. Giving it to the authorities and saving lives. Alas, the authorities clearly haven’t followed ADF-NALU to the fullest.
Since they have been able to pass through the cracks and explode on civilians. These acts of terrorism is showing a need for a reform and a need to structure the authorities differently. They are reactionary and not passing the baton, in a manner, in which they could apprehend suspects or even intelligence of their actions at a early stage. That can be said, as the state isn’t alert or have the capacity to follow or monitor the ones who are deemed as “sleeper cells” or “terrorists”. This is why they can succeed in their missions. Which is tragic and innocent lives are taken because of it.
The ADF-NALU have dared to return and they done with massive harm. They are taking lives and causing horror. Families are ripped apart and others are endangered. The ADF-NALU is showing their might and force to the general public. As their sole mission in the past was to overthrow Museveni. However, we doubt that is the means to this end right now.
They are now signing to the “high above” that they are still there and should be recognized. The ADF-NALU is proving their existence and that they are coming to terrorize as well. They followed his dare and has returned. The outcome is horrible and people lives are taken in the midst of it. It is tragic, but shows what mismanagement and hubris does to man. Museveni could have fixed this, but he let other people suffer the blow in the DRC. Now, the same ghosts of the past has returned to haunt him still. Peace.
MinBane 