Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, the Defense Minister says army intelligence shows that there is massive recruitment of rebels in Buganda and Busoga region. He says the recruitment is taking place in areas such Nyendo in Masaka Municipality and Kyazaanga town council in Lwengo district..
Kiyonga says government is holding 20 suspected rebel recruits, who were intercepted early this month in Bwera on their way to the Democratic Republic Of Congo-DRC for training. The minister, who doesn't give particulars of the rebel recruits, claims that during interrogation the suspects told the army that they were from Nyendo and Kyazaanga in Lwengo district.
He attributes the fresh rebel recruitment on remnants of the rebel Allied Defense Force-ADF.
// Cue in: “The remnants of ADF……..”
Cue in: “……..within their forest.”//
While addressing residents during the 25 year celebrations Ssanje catholic parish in Rakai on Sunday, Kiyonga ordered resident district commissioners of Lwengo and Masaka districtd to register all residents in their respective districts. He says this will give intelligence operatives a ground to investigate and identify those behind the recruitment exercise.
Noah Sserunjogi, the Southern Region Police Spokesperson says despite the fact that they are not yet aware of the rebel recruitment in the area; police will not take the minister’s statements lightly. Kiyonga’s revelation has sparked off fear and panic amongst leaders of greater Masaka region.
Mathias Kasamba, the Kakuuto Member of parliament has asked government to expedite the issuance of identity cards to all its citizens. He explains that the absence of national identity cards will make it difficult for security agencies to investigate and identify wrong elements. Recently, government also claimed that rebel recruitment was taking place in Iganga and Mpigi district.
