Dradenya Amazia
8 July 2009
Kampala — THE UPDF disbanded a new Congolese rebel group, which was being formed in Nebbi district in April. West Nile regional army spokesperson Capt. Peter Mugisa said the army seized three guns, an unspecified number of bullets and uniforms after a tip- off by local people.
He said the suspects confessed that they were being recruited by a Congolese businessman operating between Arua and Kampala. The suspects added that they were to fight against the Kinshasa government basing in Ituri province in the north-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, Mugisa declined to name the rebel group and the businessman, saying the army had not yet arrested him. He also said giving details would jeopardise investigations.
"We know him and he is aware that we have got the information and arrested his people. That is why he has coiled his tail," Mugisa disclosed.
He was speaking on Arua One FM, a local radio in the West Nile, recently. Mugisa assured the residents of West Nile that the UPDF was well equipped to protect the peace in the region and would never condone rebel attacks in any part of the country.
"There has been peace in the West Nile region since April due to the cooperation between the local people and the army. That is why we were able to detect and arrest the group, which was still in its formation stage," he said.
Mugisa appealed to the residents and leaders to cooperate with security agencies on matters that would put the states security at stake. Asked about the Uganda Patriotic Front (UPF) rebel group, which is allegedly being formed in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Amuru districts, Mugisa urged the residents to let security agencies and the army investigate the issue.
He advised the residents not to believe everything they read in the newspapers. Mugisa, however, blamed Gulu LC5 chairman Norbert Mao for not informing security agencies about the formation of a new rebel group when he got a document about it.
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