Uganda rebel leader reportedly injured in DR Congo attack

KAMPALA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan rebel group holed up in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was reportedly injured during an assault on the rebels' bases in the vast central African country.

Maj. Ronald Kakurungu, spokesperson of the Ugandan military-led operation against the ADF, said Friday the military is verifying reports that Sheikh Musa Baluku was injured in the Dec. 22 attack on the outfit's bases in the jungles of eastern DRC.

"We have got that information (about injuring him). We are still trying to verify that. We are looking for proper sources," said Kakurungu.

An online publication, Kampala Post quoting military sources, early this week reported that the ADF leader was briefing his troops and followers at the time of the "surgical" attack, but managed to escape, albeit with serious injuries.

He is now suspected to be being carried by followers looking for medical help, alongside many other injured ADF fighters, according the publication.

According to the Ugandan military, over 100 rebel fighters were killed in the operation that was sparked off by the rebels' attack of UN peacekeepers killing 15 of them.

The military said with authorization from the DRC government, it used jet fighters and artillery fire to attack the ADF.

Baluku took over the ADF's leadership after its Commander Jamil Mukulu was arrested in Tanzania and extradited to Uganda in 2015.

Mukulu whose rebel group carried out several attacks in the capital Kampala in the 1990s is currently facing charges of terrorism, murder, kidnapping and recruitment of children. Enditem