Kipoi launches war against Uganda

BY DAVID MAFABI

KAMPALA. A new rebel faction an armed struggle to remove President Museveni from power has emerged.

The National Equality and Democracy highlights the degree of frustration Ugandans have had in trying to hold free and fair elections through a representative multiparty democracy and seeks the use of an armed struggle as the only way to liberate the country.

The group in a statement by its leader, Mr Tonny Kipoi Nsubuga, the former MP for Bubulo West says NED is a Ugandan Liberation Movement says the NRM government has been the source of endless chaos and desperation to people who have continuously agitated for political freedom.

In a press release seen by Daily Monitor and signed by Mr Kipoi, the leader of the purported rebel group, the rebel group is political movement advocating for a Regime change, representative multiparty democracy and an independent judicial system.

 “On behalf of NED, we would like to inform the general public that we today have constituted a liberation struggle to remove the NRM failed and illegitimate regime through an armed struggle,” reads the press statement in part dated Dec 3.

The press release says NED has presence across the country and outside Uganda with a mission to save Uganda from a dictatorship of President Museveni.

The group, according to the press release, urges Ugandans to join them in the “liberation struggle” and invites the various security personnel to cooperate with them in their mission.

The press release says the rebel group has its headquarters in London42 station road London NW4 3sx UK and in Kinshasa, Av kiosi No 18 Ngaliema (DRC) and advocates for real democracy, equality and rule of law.

But the Police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi says Mr Kipoi is a criminal wanted by Ugandan government and that he should come back for prosecution.

“What I know is that he appeared in court over a criminal cases and I don’t know whether he was given bail and he jumped bail or he was acquitted and if he wants to fight government, we are ready for him and I wish him luck,” said Mr Kawesi.

In November 2013, police arrested and interrogated three youth allegedly recruited forcibly by Mr Kipoi and the youths were later released after recording statements implicating the legislator before the legislator fled to DR Congo

The army alleges that Mr Kipoi had been recruiting personnel from Ugandan security and Congolese of COGAI, a rebel group in Bunia in Ituri region in DR Congo.

Uganda Police, through its Directorate of Interpol and International Relations, made a formal request to their counterparts in Congo on February 26, 2014 for him to be arrested and extradited to Uganda.

When Mr Kipoi fled to DR Congo, government claimed he detained in Kinshasa pending extradition to Uganda.

Army responds
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said the claim of a rebel group was news to him and described it as mythical.

“Let him dare, h will meet the full force of the law, UPDF is ready to defend Ugandans and our country,” said Ankunda.

The DR Congo Ambassador H.E Jean-Charles Okot Lolakombe said as DR Congo government they don’t support any rebel activities in their country and that anybody doing it in DR Congo should be aware that it is illegal.

“As a country we don’t tolerate this because it destroys our diplomatic relations with Uganda and I want to say that it is illegal and against our constitution and the principles that govern DR Congo and Uganda as neighbours,” said Mr Lolakombe, Dec 20. Ends