Schools, health centers reopen in eastern DRC as ADF rebel activities slowdown

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Schools and health facilities in Nobili, Luanoli, Kamango, and Kikingi in Eastern DR. Congo have re-opened months after closure following attacks by the rebel Allied Democratic Forces-ADF.

The decision to reopen schools and health facilities follows joint military operations by the Congolese forces FARDC and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF against the rebels in the eastern part of DRC.

Uganda and DRC launched an offensive against ADF rebels in Eastern DR Congo in November last year. Dr. Ulungu Kichaguli Joshua, the in-charge of Kamango hospital says that they had spent five months without fully operating due to the rampant ADF attacks at the facility. He says the rebels mainly targeted medicines and medical personnel.

According to Dr. Ulungu, the rebels attacked Kamango hospital, looted Luanoli health center III, and Nobili health center more than three times in 2021, and made off with a lot of medical supplies.

He says the population has been struggling to access medical services and predicts that many could have lost their lives to cases that would otherwise be treated.

Ulungu is worried that many health centers in the rural areas are yet to reopen for fear of renewed attacks. Gabriel Batuki, the Batalenga district inspector of schools says that a number of schools in the town center have resumed teaching.

He attributes this to the heavy deployment of security forces that have driven the rebels out of these areas. Batuki appeals for more deployment in rural areas that are still under the threat of insurgency.

The sector one Operation Shujaa Commander, Col James Kasule, says that when UPDF reached Nobili and Kamango areas, they realized some security gaps that have since been fixed. Col. Dem Safari Mbabazi, the FARDC Commander 2013 Regiment, says that there is general overall security improvement in Eastern DRC.

He noted that large sections of Nobili, Kamango, and Luanoli are generally peaceful and life is returning to normal. Baluku Singa Deidone, the Chief of Butalenga, says that Congolese who had initially run to Uganda are returning to their home villages.

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