Ugandan Forces Repel ADF-Linked Attacks in Western Districts; Video of Surrender Shooting Sparks Outcry
KASESE, Uganda — Ugandan security forces have repelled a series of coordinated attacks by assailants linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in the western Rwenzori region. The assaults, which took place on November 1, 2025, targeted police and military installations in the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Fort Portal.
According to authorities, the attackers were armed with machetes and other crude weapons. The violence resulted in the deaths of at least 20 civilians. In the ensuing clashes, security forces killed nine attackers and arrested 30 others.
The raids have been attributed to the ADF, a militant group with bases in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), known for carrying out cross-border attacks.
The military response, however, has been overshadowed by a viral video emerging from Kasese. The footage appears to show a police officer shooting a man whose hands are raised in an act of surrender. The incident has prompted accusations of a summary execution from critics, including retired officials and human rights advocates.
While some have condemned the shooting as a potential war crime, others have defended the security forces’ actions, citing the intense pressure and ongoing threat posed by the militant group. The video has ignited a fierce public debate over the conduct of security operations in the region.
Investigations into both the attacks and the conduct of the security forces are likely to follow as the government seeks to restore order and address the growing security concerns in western Uganda.
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