“Find the enemy, fix the enemy, finish the enemy”, a time-tested military maxim credited to General George S. Patton — guided joint forces as they struck deep into enemy territory.
Living out that doctrine, the joint forces of the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have rescued more than 200 civilians from captivity following a major offensive against an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) camp along River Epulu in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The three-part principle, first locate the hostile force, then pin it so it cannot maneuver, then destroy its ability to fight, was executed in full: intelligence “found” the camp, combat units “fixed” the insurgents in place, and the final assault “finished” the enemy’s hold on the area.
The camp was under the control of a notorious ADF commander, Ssebagala, also known as “Mzee Mayor”.
During the operation, several ADF fighters were killed and a cache of weapons was recovered.
Speaking to the rescued civilians at Mungamba, the Overall Joint Commander of Operation Shujaa, Major General Stephen Mugerwa, said that the joint forces remain committed to completely dismantling ADF networks and restoring law and order.
He urged the rescued individuals to cooperate with security forces.
“You are not under detention. You are victims of abduction, and we shall ensure you are handed over to the relevant authorities so you can reunite with your families,” he added.
Among those rescued was a 14-year-old girl, the youngest, while the oldest was a 19-year-old boy. Many recounted harsh conditions in captivity, including lack of food, forced labour, and punishment for disobedience. Several appeared frail, suffering from untreated illnesses such as malaria, respiratory infections, and physical exhaustion.
Kasereka Ndina, a 41-year-old, one of the rescued, expressed gratitude to the joint forces for their rescue and support, saying it had renewed her hope of returning home.
The offensive also targeted other ADF positions, including areas along the River Ituri, where insurgents were intercepted while attempting to cross. Increased military pressure has led to more escapes, with dozens of former captives reporting to joint force locations such as Lolwa, Kyndala Kundala, and Babungwe.
Since January 2026, joint operations have intensified, leading to significant gains. In February, forces overran a major ADF camp linked to commander Musa Baluku, recovering weapons, improvised explosive devices, and other equipment.
The sustained offensive has improved security in parts of eastern DRC, enabling displaced communities to return home, schools to reopen, and cross-border trade between Uganda and the DRC to resume.
Operation Shujaa, launched in November 2021, is a joint military campaign by the UPDF and FARDC targeting the ADF, an armed group responsible for attacks in both eastern DRC and Uganda.
TEU Explainer:
Find the enemy, fix the enemy, finish the enemy”. This military maxim most credited to Gen George S. Patton and taught in US Army FM 3-90 Tactics, is the three-step playbook for offensive action. It explains exactly what happened at River Epulu.
FM 3-90 Tactics is an official US Army field manual or playbook that tells army officers how to fight.
Find-Joint intelligence located the hidden ADF camp and confirmed Ssebagala’s presence. You cannot hit what you cannot see.
Fix. UPDF-FARDC units pinned the fighters in place and set blocking positions along River Ituri to stop escape. This keeps the enemy from slipping away with hostages.
Finish-Troops overran the camp killing several fighters, seized weapons and freed over 200 civilians. The threat was ended and the ground taken.
Commanders use the mantra because war punishes skipping steps. “find” without “fix “lets the enemy regroup. “Finish” without “find” walks into ambushes. The 200 rescued civilians are free today because all three steps were executed in order.
