Over 200 civilians rescued from ADF rebel camp in Eastern DR Congo, Uganda says

More than 200 civilians held captive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been rescued during a joint military operation carried out by Ugandan and Congolese forces targeting an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State, according to Uganda’s military.
The operation focused on a camp controlled by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant organization that originated in Uganda but has been operating for years across the border in eastern DR Congo. The group is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous armed movements in the region and has been accused of mass killings, abductions, and terror-related activity.

Ugandan military officials confirmed that children were among those freed during the raid, including a 14-year-old girl identified as the youngest rescued hostage. Authorities described the operation as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle the group’s network in the region. A statement from the Ugandan army said that many of the rescued civilians appeared weak and traumatized. Several were reportedly suffering from health complications such as malaria, respiratory issues, and severe exhaustion after prolonged captivity.
Military personnel involved in the operation said survivors described extremely harsh conditions inside the camp. According to officials, captives reported a lack of adequate food, forced labour, and violent punishment for any perceived disobedience.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Mugerwa, who is leading the joint Uganda–DR Congo mission, reportedly told the freed individuals: “You are not under detention. You are victims of abduction, and we shall ensure you are handed over to the relevant authorities so you can reunite with your families.” During the operation, Ugandan military officials said that several ADF fighters were killed as government forces stormed the camp. A cache of weapons was also recovered, though authorities did not provide specific details on the type or quantity of arms seized.
The statement did not confirm whether there were any casualties among Ugandan or Congolese troops involved in the raid.

Security forces described the mission as part of a broader ongoing effort launched in 2021, when Uganda and DR Congo agreed to a coordinated military campaign aimed at dismantling ADF strongholds in eastern Congo. Despite repeated operations, the group has continued to carry out attacks in the region.The Allied Democratic Forces were originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s by individuals opposed to the government’s treatment of Muslims. After being pushed out by the Ugandan army, surviving members of the group fled into eastern DR Congo, where they rebuilt their operations in remote forested areas.

Over time, the group evolved into a more complex insurgent network, engaging in armed attacks, kidnappings, and cross-border violence. In 2016, its leadership reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, although formal recognition of its activities under the IS umbrella came later, in 2019. Since then, the ADF has been increasingly described by regional and international observers as an IS-linked militant organization, though its exact operational ties remain difficult to independently verify.

While the ADF had largely avoided direct operations inside Uganda for several years, recent attacks have reignited fears about its cross-border capabilities. The group has been blamed for a series of violent incidents in Uganda, including suicide bombings in the capital Kampala in 2021 and attacks on schools in western Uganda in 2023.

However, the group remains most active in eastern DR Congo, where it has gained notoriety for mass abductions, killings, and attacks on remote villages. Humanitarian organizations and monitoring groups have repeatedly warned about its impact on civilians in conflict-affected areas. A 2024 analysis by BBC Monitoring found that the ADF was responsible for more than half of civilian deaths in parts of eastern Congo where it operates, underscoring its role as one of the deadliest armed groups in the region.