UPDF hands over four Mai Mai rebels to DR Congo, arrests three Ugandans
KASESE – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces [ UPDF ] 222 Mountain Brigade based in Kasese district on Saturday handed over four Mai Mai rebels and a dead body to DR Congo authorities. The rebels were intercepted at Kiraaro, along River Tako as they tried to cross into Uganda.
According to the 222 Mountain Brigade commander Col. Colombus Tumwine, the four are part of the bigger group that was on July 14, 2022, intercepted by UPDF 5 Mountain Batallion based in Bwera.
Col. Tumwine identified the four as Katemba Kombe, 21, Thembo Mutima, 15, Kambale Kombe, 23, and Jean Kasereka, 19, [injured] while Nguchi Kasereka, 19, was killed.
He said the group was crossing into Uganda at Kiraaro along River Tako which is across the international borderline taking their wounded for treatment after a fight with Armed Forces of DR Congo [FARDC].
“As they were intercepted, the two who had guns managed to flee but Nguchi Kasereka was put out of action and the four were captured alive. After fighting with FARDC, with the help of three Ugandans, they ran to Uganda to treat their injured colleague,” he said.
Col.Tumwine said they have arrested the three Ugandan collaborators and are now waiting to face courts of law.
He said they have obtained good information about the Mai Mai rebel group. The information obtained relates to the rebels’structure, their suppliers, and contacts. The UPDF officer said they intend to share the information with their DR Congo counterparts to strengthen operation Shujja.
The Kasese Deputy Resident District Commissioner [RDC], Rtd Lt. Maate Magwara commended DR Congo authorities for having come to receive the captured Mai Mai elements.
He said government of Uganda through the East African Community [EAC] is committed to ensuring the two neighbours live in harmonious coexistence so that peace and security prevail.
“These Congolese rebels were arrested in Uganda after having fought with Congo forces; we have not beaten them but instead given them food and treated the injured. What you must know is that Uganda is a signatory to the Geneva Convention and we respect the international law of armed conflict,” he said.
The FARDC/UPDF coordinator operation Shujja, Col. Danny Endubu Madawa appreciated the continuous struggle by both forces to secure the Eastern part of DR Congo.
He said it was in the spirit of brotherhood that UPDF handed over rebels of Congo to the authorities.
“Thank you for handing over these enemies of peace, if you did not have the spirit of brotherhood, you would have left them to continue haunting the people of Congo. This shows our cordial relationship between the two countries,” he said.
He urged the forces to continue cooperating through the exchange of information and carrying out operations against enemies of peace together.
Mai Mai militia is among the numerous active rebel groups operating in the Eastern DR Congo. It is well-known for its horrific acts such as mutilation, sexual violence, conscription of child soldiers, and the killing of unborn children.
The armed group was formed by Gedeon Kyungu Mutanga in September 2011 to purportedly defend the local communities of Katanga Province against other armed groups.
https://thecooperator.news/dr-congo-and-uganda-security-officials-meet-over-cross-border-smuggling/
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