DRC JAILBREAK: Uganda on High Alert for Fleeing ADF Militants
Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, UPDF 2nd Infantry Division Public Information Officer
A recent prison break in the Democratic Republic of Congo has put Uganda on high alert, after suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) criminals reportedly escaped from Munzenze Prison in Goma City.
The UPDF 2nd Infantry Division Public Information Officer, Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, has urged Ugandans to exercise vigilance in light of this development.
According to Maj. Tabaro, the escape occurred when M23 rebels seized control of Goma town, with prisoners taking advantage of the chaos.
“Some suspected Ugandans who were on short and long term sentences at Munzenze in Goma escaped from prison, and it is suspected that some of them could have been criminals, most likely ADF criminals wanted back home,” Maj. Tabaro revealed.
CUE… IN MAJ. TABARO ON ADF ESCAPE
However, the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division Mouthpiece emphasized that the border security with DRC remains calm, with all activities proceeding uninterrupted.
“Tourism activities, farming, and local trade on the Ugandan side are not affected by the ongoing fighting in Eastern DRC. Dozens of heavy trucks on transit through Cyanika to Goma remain parked at Nyakabande in Kisoro, waiting for the situation to normalize,” He explained.
CUE IN…MAJ. TABARO ON BORDER SECURITY
Despite the calm border situation, Maj. Tabaro cautioned that Ugandan security forces are on high alert to prevent possible infiltration by ADF criminals and ex-combatants who may disguise themselves as refugees.
“There are still over 100 Militias operating in the DRC, and so, our District and local security committees continue to conduct security awareness campaigns along our border line,” he added.
CUE IN… MAJ.TABARO CALLS FOR VIGILANCE
The UPDF has been actively engaged in operations against the ADF, a terrorist organization responsible for numerous attacks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The recent prison break in DRC raises concerns about the potential increase of terrorist activity in the region, and thus a call for extreme vigilance on the side of Uganda where the ADF tend to target most.
