Print version
Plain textUganda Hands Suspected Pakistan Militants To Kenya
Suspected Pakistan militants arrested last week in Ntoroko district have been handed to Kenyan security, Chimpreports.com reveals.
Deputy police publicist Judith Nabakooba told our Investigations Desk on Tuesday that after being transferred and interrogated in Kampala, police chose to release the suspects to Kenya.
“Of course there was some suspicion that they had militant links considering how they entered Uganda,” said Nabakooba.
“But after some verification, nothing fruitful came up. So they were handed to Kenya authorities,” she added.
Security was concerned by the entry of the Pakistanis to Uganda through an area formerly a base for the rebel Allied Democratic Forces, which sustains links to terrorist group Al Shabaab, just weeks before the second anniversary of twin bomb attacks in Kampala.
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the July 2010 bloodbath that left over 75 dead and dozens injured.
Nabakooba said the Pakistanis had sneaked into the country through an ungazetted border point.
“They had documents showing they were from Kenya. That’s how we contacted Kenyan authorities,” added Nabakooba.
On May 2, we reported that Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Aronda Nyakairima rushed to western Uganda following complaints from residents in Ntoroko and Kabarole district that ADF rebels had crossed the border.
Nyakairima traveled to Ntoroko on a fact finding mission on the request of woman MP Jennifer Mujungu.
The legislator had earlier told Aronda that locals were complaining of harassment by the ADF rebels.
The locals said ADF was near the border of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo and were scared of a possible attack.
The frightened residents further told Mujungu that suspected ADF insurgents were seen in Bukuku sub-county, Kabarole in March where they robbed food stuffs from the area.
The residents’ panic came after Democratic Republic of Congo withdrew its forces from the border between Uganda and DR Congo thus giving room for ADF to team up with the Congolese Ngite militias to attack Uganda.
The locals said ADF rebels were terrorizing and attacking market vendors at Nyahuka market, Busunga in Bubandi sub-county, Bundibugyo district and Jiapande market in Ituri province of DRC.
Addressing a stakeholders meeting at Rwebisengo town council, in Ntoroko district on Thursday, Aronda said the people of Rwenzori region should concentrate on development rather than cheap talk of the insecurity in the region.
The army commander further said UPDF’s mandate is to protect Ugandans and their property and will do whatever it takes to defend them from any possible insurgency.
“When you listen to politicians talking about security matters, you think that war is coming tomorrow. I want to assure you that Uganda is peaceful, no threats of impending attack of any rebel group and the UPDF have the capacity of handling any insurgency,” he said.
Aronda said he was inspecting the western region from Kisoro to Bundibugyo to ascertain the security issue and how UPDF is relating to the local communities.
The CDF explained that security issues are also development issues.
“I am aware that when the country is insecure, no development can take place. My advice is that you embrace government programs and develop your homes. We will handle the security bit and no one will ever distract you,” he assured.
RESIDENTS’ COMPLAINT
Steady Nyakojo, one of the residents, tasked Aronda to explain why DRC withdrew its forces from the border.
In response, the CDF said Uganda is striving hard to live in harmony with her neighbors, a reason why UPDF is giving a hand in war torn countries like Somalia.
He disclosed that during Idi Amini’s reign of terror, Tanzania assisted liberation forces to defeat the dictator’s tyranny.
“We must be helpful to neighbors because when they are okay, Uganda is also peaceful,” he said.
Rate this article
Updated on 2013-05-09 09:25 |
We Buy | We Sell | ||
 |
Cash | US Dollar | 2,552.61 | 2,562.67 |
 |
Cash | Euro | 3,340.4 | 3,353.34 |
 |
Cash | British Pound | 3,948.69 | 3,963.99 |
 |
Cash | Japanese Yen | 27.66 | 28.5 |
 |
Cash | Kenya Shs | 30.42 | 30.54 |
 |
Cash | Rwanda Franc | 1.3 | 1.35 |
 |
Cash | Tanzania Shs | 1.56 | 1.57 |
 |
Cash | South African Rand | 280 | 295 |
