Ntoroko clashes

Civilians in Bweramule sub-county, in Ntoroko, first spotted ADF militants on 13 December.^[4] Speaking to the Ugandan military, they stated around 20-40 militants crossed the Semuliki river into the district.^[5] The fighters were armed with around 15-20 guns.^[4] Captured ADF fighters stated that once they crossed into Ntoroko, the ADF contingent was split into several groups.^[6] Meanwhile, the Ugandan military's 8th Mountain Battalion, stationed in the area, responded to the incursion.^[4] The ADF attacked civilians in Bweramule, killing three people.^[7] In the ensuing clashes between Ugandan forces and the ADF, seventeen ADF fighters were killed and thirteen were captured, mostly child soldiers.^[4] The commander of the Ugandan Mountain Division, Dick Olum, stated the other ten fighters likely drowned in the Semuliki river when crossing back.^[4] In the clashes, one Ugandan soldier was killed, and two were injured.^[6]

By 14 December, civilians sheltering in the local public school were able to return home.^[4] Around 8,000 people were displaced in total from the attacks, 7,000 of which from Bweramule sub-county, and 1,000 combined from Butungama sub-county and Kibuuku town.^[6] On 25 December, seven more ADF fighters that were hiding were caught by civilians and military forces. All fighters were between the ages of 12 and 14.^[6]