The Police Crime Intelligence (CI) task teams carried out operations in Mbale City and Bukedea district from September 17, 2023, to September 19, 2023, where they arrested three ADF suspects highly linked to the attacks on police stations in December 2022.

According to a statement made by SCP Enanga Fred, the police spokesperson, on September 25, 2023, the suspects had escaped from the central region and established a terror cell in Mbale after their leader was killed in Mityana.

Enanga also said that in another operation, the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Team, in coordination with the Wamala region and Kyankwanzi police, on September 21, 2023, arrested 2 high profile ADF elements in Bikooma village, Kyenda Trading Centre, Butemba sub-county in Kyankwanzi district.

“The suspects, who were identified as Lusiba Farouk and Nandaula Zura, had acquired a 1.5-acre piece of land after escaping from Lwengo district,”he said.

“They were transferred to Kampala for further processing and court action,” Enanga added.

The police will continue to monitor all spaces in villages, urban centres, and towns where ADF remnants are hiding and further call upon them to surrender.

In December 2022, there was a significant increase in security attacks. These attacks primarily targeted police posts, such as the incident at Kyabadazza police station in Butambala. During this attack, the perpetrators facilitated the escape of prisoners. Another notable attack occurred at Busiika police station in Luweero, resulting in the tragic deaths of three police officers and other similar attacks.(exp)