By Leonard Kamugisha and Stephen Gonzaga,
SECURITY CHECK:
FAILED ATTEMPTS: security lands in rebellious plans to overthrow Ugandan government, security confirms.
Security has said that a new rebel group has been formed in Kassanda district with an aim of overthrowing the incumbent government through militant means.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday afternoon, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said the group named; Ugandan Coalition Forces of Change(UCFC), recruited members mainly from Wakiso District and that they had expanded to Mityana where they created two camps that have been attacking police officers and stealing their guns.
Enanga said that security operatives from Crime Intelligence and the Flying Squad unit raided Kabuusi swamp in Kassanda district where the group is being harbored and made several arrests. He said security recovered ammunition’s, saucepans and tents among other items that were used by these rebels.
“Eight people including Makumbi Mosh, alias Engineer , the field commander of the group, Stuart Lugendo, 28 John Masembe, Julius Mulindwa, Paul Yamulemire, Bob Robert Ssenyonga, Sylvester Matovu and Teopista Nabukenya among others were arrested and two guns recovered. Also, 22 rounds of ammunition, items like sauce pans and tents were recovered.”
According to Enanga, the group is the one that has been masterminding recent attack’s targeting several police posts, in Mityana and Kiboga districts.
It is understood that in the past weeks, two police posts at Ssekanyonyi in Mityana district and Nakasozi in Kiboga district were attacked four police officers were killed by unknown armed men who ran away with their guns.
Enanga explained that some of the arrested suspects admitted being members of the new rebel group that was planning to oust the government of president Museveni. He did not however disclose whether the group is part of any political groups legally operating in the country.
He said by the time of the arrest, the group had carried out surveillance on Ssekanyonyi police station where they were planning to attack and rob four guns.
“After interrogation, they have provided us with useful information including the overall commander of the rebel group who has been recruiting and funding their operations. They target police officers to get guns. They also look at officers as their enemies and an obstacle to overthrow government,” Enanga said noting that they have recovered two guns.
Enanga pledged to the public to crackdown the UCFC commander whose identity he said he will not disclose for security reasons.
The Eight suspects have been charged with terrorism, murder, unlawful possession of firearms and aggravated robbery.
