Uganda: Ahmadiya Muslim Mission in Kampala and its relationship to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 17 January 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UGA33471.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uganda: Ahmadiya Muslim Mission in Kampala and its relationship to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), 17 January 2000, UGA33471.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7f3c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Ahmadiya Muslim Mission is reportedly an international non-governmental organization operating in Kampala (New Vision 1 June 1999). Its director, Abdul-Rahman Abdallah, a Sudanese national was arrested on 28 May 1999 together with 30 other Ugandan nationals in connections with bomb explosions around Kampala in April 1999. The Sudanese are suspected of financing terrorist activities in the city (ibid.).
A 1 June 1999 Associated Press report corroborates the above information adding that "authorities have previously blamed the bombings on rebels belonging to the Allied Democractic Forces (ADF), who have their base in neighbouring Congo and usually launch attacks on towns in western Uganda. It wasn't clear whether those arrested had any connections to the ADF" (ibid.).
According to The Political Handbook of the World, the ADF is led by Jamir Mukulu, and "is reportedly composed of remnants of the late Amon Bazire's National Movement for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU) and islamic milant fighters, styled the Sallaf Tabliqs, who are allegedly founded by the Sudanese government (1998, 947).Though insignificant in 1995, the ADF gained prominence in 1997 when its ranks were swelled by the addition of former Zairean soldiers and Hutu interahamwe fighters (ibid.).
Currently, the ADF operates in the western province of Uganda in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole districts where they have carried out attacks on Uganda People's Defence Forces stations, police and civilians (New Visionn 14 Jan. 2000; ibid., 13 Jan. 2000; ibid., 12 Jan. 2000; Africa News 18 December 1999).
According to the government-owned newspaper, The New Vision, the government launched a major operation called "Mountain Sweep," aimed atincapacitating the ADF (13 Jan. 2000). The operation uncovered a large cache of arms in Bwera, Kasese district. "66 ADF rebels were killed, 24 captured and 119 SMG rifles recovered with 1,186 bullets" (ibid.). This operation also rescued 195 inmates held by the ADF when it raided Katojo prison in Kabarole district on 9 December 1999. It reportedly abducted 365 prisoners, killed three people and injured many others (ibid.).
The recent attacks come in the wake of an agreement signed by the presidents of Uganda and Sudan and brokered by the former US President Jimmy Carter of the Carter Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, on 8 December 1999 (IRIN News 9 Dec. 1999). In an 11-page document,
the presidents pledged, among others, "renouncing the use of force to resolve differences, disbanding and disarming terrorist groups, respecting each country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, ceasing support to any rebel groups. They also agreed to return all prisoners of war to their respective nations, locate and return abductees to their families and offer amnesty and reintegration assistance to all former combantants who renounce the use of force
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. Please see the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Associated Press (AP). 1 June 1999. "Thirty Arrested in Connection with Uganda Explosions."
IRIN News Briefs. 9 December 1999. "Uganda-Sudan Presidents Sign Peace Accord."
[Accessed: 14 Jan. 2000]
The Monitor [Kampala]. 18 December 1999. Murray Oliver, Mugisa Joseph; Justus Souza & Michael Karugaba. "Uganda: Rebels Attack Police Stations." (Africa News/NEXIS ).
New Vision [Kampala]. 14 January 2000. Emmy Allio. "ADF Kills Civilians For Backing Govt."
_____. 13 January 2000. Emmy Allio. "UPDF Discovers ADF Arms Cache."
_____. 12 January 2000. Moses Sserwanga. "ADF Massacre Ten in Camp."
_____. 1 June 1999. "Security Arrest 30 Over Bomb Blasts." (Africa News/News)
Political Handbook of the World:1998. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.
