According to police, the ADF is behind the bombings, and collaborators have been apprehended.

The Allied Democratic Forces rebels now operating in the volatile Eastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been linked to two different bomb assaults in the country, according to police.

One person was killed and three others were injured in a Saturday evening explosion at a pig eating establishment in Komamboga, a Kampala suburb.

On Monday evening, a similar explosion on a Swift Safaris bus in Lungala, along the Kampala-Masaka route, killed one passenger and injured another.

The fragments of the bomb that burst on Monday evening have offered security information about the persons behind the attacks, according to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, who also noted that ADF is responsible for the bombings.

“We have established a connection with the incident that occurred three days ago in Komamboga and could have been prepared in one place or by the same group of assailants based on the hallmarks of the attack and the bomb ingredients seized.” As a result, the attackers are employing a variety of tactics, including suicide vests and belts, armed gunmen on bodabodas or motorcycles, and physical bomb strikes, all of which are aimed at soft targets,” Enanga explained.

The assailants are members of an ADF sleeper cell operating in Uganda, according to him, and have ties to the Islamic State, which has mastered soft target strikes.

“Based on our data, they’re going after soft targets, which are many and tough to defend.” They intend to target citizens at easily accessible sites such as food establishments, public transit such as buses and taxis, places of religion, pedestrian areas, stealthy bars, and other crowded areas,” he said.

Sleeper cell of the ADF

The perpetrators of the spate of attacks, according to Ugandan security, are members of an ADF sleeper cell that has been operating in the nation for some time.

A sleeper cell is a group of secret spies who have been dormant for an extended length of time.

According to early investigations, the gang has been recruiting, radicalizing, and researching how to make improvised explosive devices before carrying out assaults, according to the police spokeswoman.

This, according to security, explains why basic materials were used in the improvised bomb devices that have been detonated thus far.

“Their motivation is plainly ideological, and the ADF may be concealing intentions for a larger conspiracy.” “The organization has been operating since August 2021, and one of the ADF commanders deployed in the DRC is heavily involved in its coordination,” Enanga stated.

The commander of the ADF is in charge.

Meddie Nkalubo, aka Martin MD, aka Benjo, aka Benjamin Franklin, aka Meddie Lee, aka punisher, who has been in the DRC for the past six years, is believed to be the mastermind behind the attacks.

According to police, Nkalubo orchestrated an attack in Pader earlier this year that targeted mourners at the burial of late AIGP Lt Gen Paul Lokech, but the attack was foiled.

“Our task teams foiled the attack and detained the alleged terrorists, including Abdul Rashid Katumba, an IED expert,” Enanga stated.

The would-be suicide bomber, Hamid Nsubuga, also known as Young Midu, fled from Pader and was subsequently put out of action in Kyebando, a Kampala suburb, according to a police spokesperson.

Hassan Rwangabo, according to the police, planned a “failed attack” on the Kawempe police station as well as the Monday attack on a Swift Safaris bus.

More contributors are needed.

Several collaborators implicated in money laundering and terrorist funding are still being tracked down, according to security.

“So far, two people have been arrested: Abdulaham Waibi and Sanyu Nakitende, who have received USD114.000 and disbursed it to their beneficiaries on behalf of the ADF.” “Selected petroleum businesses and real estate dealers have also been routed with funds,” Enanga stated.

Some petroleum businesses and their owners are being probed by police for allegedly being involved in terrorism financing and money laundering.

He claimed that one of the accomplices was apprehended in Hoima after being monitored after visiting one of the group’s contacts in Zambia.

In the aftermath of the attacks, police have encouraged the public to be calm yet watchful.

“Despite the cowardly acts of terrorism perpetrated by existing sleeper cells inspired by the ADF and the Islamic State, we want to reassure Ugandans. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to protect Ugandans and visitors in the country,” Enanga stated.

After the Pader incident, President Museveni stated that the suspected suicide bomber who died in a bus on the Kampala-Masaka route was being pursued by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).

ADF

Jamilu Mukulu led the Allied Democratic Forces group, which was founded in 1996 out of remnants of the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU). He was the group’s leader until he was captured by Tanzanian forces and transferred to Uganda, where he is still jailed.

While the organization used to operate in Uganda, it was eventually chased out and is now operating in the dense Eastern DRC jungles, where it carries out attacks in neighboring villages, killing over 1000 people in the last few years.

The UPDF estimated the group’s strength to be between 700 and 900 combatants a few years ago, when it was weakened.

They have continued to recruit through their agents, particularly in the Kasese and DRC areas.

ADF was classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States earlier this year.