Ntoroko residents living in fear following recent ADF attack

Ntoroko, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents of Bweramule sub county in Ntoroko district are living in fear since their area was attacked by Allied Democratic Forces-ADF rebels a week ago.

On Tuesday last week, over 40 rebels crossed river Semliki into Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo, attacked villages and killed a civilian and injured two others.

However, UPDF swang into action and killed 18 rebels, captured 15 and 17 firearms were recovered.

Following the attack, over 800 residents from the villages that were attacked of Kyobe, Kayanja II and Kyappa fled from their homes and sought refuge at Karuguti Primary School in Rwebisengo town council, until the situation calmed down.

Most of those who had run away from their homes have been able to return however during a security meeting held at Bweramule sub county headquarters on Wednesday, the residents revealed that they are living in fear.

They say that a few rebels who survived the fighting are still around the area citing an example of the five rebels who were intercepted on Tuesday this week as they were trying to escape back to DR Congo.

According to Rtd. Maj. Edward Jones Mugabirwe, the Ntoroko District Resident Commissioner- RDC, these rebels were intercepted by UPDF where two were killed, and three others managed to escape.

Now the locals have expressed fear over the rebels who escaped saying that they cannot live peaceful with the rebels still out there.

Onan Katoboka asked the security leaders to reinforce UPDF deployment in their area to carry out more patrols. He says that if there are more soldiers in the villages, locals feel secure.

Clovis Bahemuha, also a resident says that theft has also increased in the area because thieves are using the opportunity of people not being in their homes to steal their animals and other household property.

Onesno Kahwa revealed that currently, residents are not sleeping in their houses due to fear. He says that they only stay at home during the day, cook, prepare themselves and at night they abandon homes and sleep at Bweramule Health Center III where there is an army barracks.

Steven Asaba says that the meeting was called to talk to the people about the situation and encourage them to stay in their homes as security agencies are doing all it takes to make sure people are safe.

However, he asked the government to send them relief food as the locals are no longer carrying out their daily activities like farming, fishing, and trade.

In the meeting, the RDC encouraged the people to stay in their homes because this will repel the rebels. He adds that when they leave, it gives the rebels an opportunity of invading their homes for food and refuge. He also asked them to remain vigilant and look out for any suspicious person in their villages.

Lt. Col. Saul Nabimaya, the commander of the 8th Mountain Battalion in Ntoroko district assured the locals that the army is doing their role of fighting the enemy and ensuring safety of the people. He added that they have reinforced deployment where the army was carrying out routine patrols in the area.

Nabimanya asked the civilians to collaborate with security by giving them information of what is happening in the community. He encouraged them to stay in their homes assuring the locals of security.

He also asked the locals to stop spreading false information that causes panic amongst them.

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