On Sunday, July 9, 2023, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) conducted a collaborative operation resulting in the elimination of a high-ranking Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander known as Lubangakane.
As stated by UPDF deputy spokesperson Deo Akiiki, Lubangakane, who held a significant position within Amigo’s faction, was killed in Mwalika valley.
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The operation also led to the demise of three of Lubangakane’s fighters, while two firearms—an PMK Machine gun and a submachine gun (SMG)—were seized from the rebel group.
The UPDF reports that the rebels have been consistently targeted for the past three weeks following their assault on a secondary school in Lubiriha Kasese, near the Uganda/DRC border.
The school attack resulted in the loss of 43 lives and the abduction of six students. Major General Dick Olum, the overall Commander of Operation Shujaa and UPDF Mountain Division, confirmed the demise of Lubangakane and the recovery of the two firearms.
Olum, whose tactical headquarters are now based in Kasindi, North Kivu, DRC, emphasized the determination to degrade the ADF, expressing satisfaction with the progress made thus far.
Over the course of three weeks, Olum’s troops have retrieved a total of 10 weapons.
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The joint UPDF-FARDC operation, codenamed ‘Operation Shujaa’ and initiated in November 2021, aims to establish peace and stability in eastern DRC, facilitating trade and fostering prosperity between the two nations.
