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President Yoweri Museveni has made changes to the leadership of operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), replacing Maj Gen Dick Olum with Maj Gen Richard Otto as the commandant.
Maj Gen Olum, who assumed command in October 2022, has been reassigned to represent Uganda in the South Sudan Stabilization Mechanism, a position previously held by Maj Gen Otto.
Col Deo Akiiki Asiimwe, the deputy Defence Public Information Officer (DPIO), confirmed the appointments, congratulating both generals on their new roles and wishing them success.
The assault on ADF, with the assistance of DR Congo forces, began in November 2021 following bombings in Kampala attributed to the rebel group.
Despite ongoing efforts to target ADF hideouts in the DRC, led by UPDF’s Mountain Division under Maj Gen Olum, the group has continued to perpetrate attacks in both DRC and Uganda.
During Maj Gen Olum’s tenure, ADF conducted a devastating attack on Lhubiriha secondary school in Kasese District, resulting in the tragic deaths of 40 students.
This incident raised questions about UPDF’s effectiveness in countering ADF threats in the Mountain areas.
