VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKM #0637 1070628
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170628Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8597
RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KAMPALA 000637 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC MOPS PINR UG
 
SUBJECT: UGANDA: ADF CLASH WITH UPDF NEAR TOURIST LODGE 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) and the 
rebel Allied Democratic Front (ADF) continue to clash in western 
Uganda.  American citizens in the region have been warned to avoid 
traveling in the Bundidugyo District and the popular Semliki Safari 
Lodge has closed for two weeks due to the conflict.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On April 13, the UPDF engaged in an intense, but short 
firefight with ADF rebels approximately two kilometers from the 
Semliki Safari Lodge in the Bundidugyo District in western Uganda. 
This engagement was a continuation of the UPDF's three-week old 
campaign to root out a group of approximately 80 ADF that entered 
Western Uganda between March 23-25 and others that may have 
infiltrated in 2006.  The number of ADF rebels killed in the recent 
conflict continues to grow with at least 65 ADF rebels killed in the 
region since the offensive began. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Post's consular section sent its second warden message in 
two-weeks concerning ADF rebel activities in the region.  A consular 
officer spoke with one of the two American citizen managers of the 
Semliki Safari Lodge on the afternoon of April 13, 2007 during the 
firefight.  The manager said that three other American citizens were 
present at the lodge at the time of the fighting, but all were safe 
and didn't feel they were in danger.  She also noted that the UPDF 
had set up a temporary headquarters near the lodge, which resulted 
in a large military presence.  Post was informed on April 14 that 
the lodge decided to close for two weeks while the UPDF continued 
its offensive to eliminate the ADF in the region. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The RSO contacted the officer in charge of police in the 
Bundidugyo District, who confirmed early reports of the conflict, 
and later reported on April 14 that the road to and from the Semliki 
Safari Lodge was open. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The military reportedly will continue its operations 
against the ADF until it eliminates the rebels.  Post continues to 
monitor the situation closely, and is taking measures to re-notify 
Americans of the dangers of travel in the region.  In recent months, 
Post's Restricted Area Travel Request policy for official Americans 
was updated to include districts in western Uganda with known ADF 
presence.  In addition, the Consular Information Sheet is being 
updated to include a warning about travel in key western Uganda 
districts. 
BROWNING