KAMPALA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military has handed over 22 former abductees and captives of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) military officials.
The Ugandan military said in a statement issued Tuesday in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, that the abductees were on Monday handed over to the Congolese officials in Kasindi, North Kivu, the eastern DRC.
The military said the individuals were handed over after undergoing a six-month rehabilitation program in Uganda.
George Jet Turyabe, who presided over the process, said the handover of rescued individuals would continue as long as joint operations resulted in their rescue.
The Ugandan military and its Congolese counterparts have since November 2021 carried out joint operations in the eastern DRC against ADF rebels.
Desire Chibi Chabere, who received the individuals, praised the handover as a testament to the success of the joint military operation.
"Our enemy is your enemy, and your enemy is our enemy," Chabere said, noting that the ADF is a common enemy for both the DRC and Uganda.
The 22 individuals, aged one month and 49 years, were rescued and captured in different areas. In addition to psychological rehabilitation, adults received training in various skills such as mechanics, electronics, tailoring, shoemaking, soap making, and hairdressing to enable them to lead economically productive lives in their communities upon resettlement, according to the military statement. ■
