UGANDA: Bubulo West MP arrested over treason

By ANDREW BAGALA

Kampala

The Member of Parliament for Bubulo West, Mr Tony Kipoi Nsubuga, and an unknown number of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo rebels have been arrested on charges of treason.

MP Kipoi, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement, was allegedly arrested in Matimuku Guest House in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, while suspected Congolese rebels on Sunday.

Daily Monitor could not confirm the number or identity of other people, said to be Ugandan army officers, arrested with MP Kipoi.

Police allege that Mr Kipoi, who has a security background, was recruiting rebels. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said in a statement that they have been monitoring the MP’s alleged subversive activities. “In particular, he has been recruiting personnel from our security services as well as Congolese rebels belonging to a group called COGAI, based in areas around Bunia in Ituri, DR Congo,” Ms Nabakooba said. “He had promised to support the rebel groups with firearms. We also have information, that MP Kipoi has foreign sponsors, who at this point, it would not be wise to disclose.”

Mr Kipoi was by press time under detention at the Special Investigation Unit premises in Kampala. Security agencies are looking at Section 23(2) (B) of the Penal Code Act, which says that “any person who forms an intention to effect any of the following purpose: to instigate any person to invade the Republic of Uganda with an armed force, and manifests any such intention by an overt act or by any utterance or by publishing any printing or writing, commits an offence and shall suffer death”.

Recently, the army said that Allied Democratic Front rebels led by Jamil Mukulu, who is now on Interpol’s wanted list for terror charges, were mobilising in Eastern DR Congo to carry out attacks on Uganda.

Police said other suspects remain at large.

“As police, with its sister security agencies continue to apprehend the collaborators of MP Kipoi, we wish to assure the general public of safety and security as you go about your festive season,” Ms Nabakooba said.

She added that the Force are also investigating Kipoi on charges of trafficking narcotic drugs.

A suspected personal assistant of the MP was arrested in Busia District on the Uganda-Kenya border with narcotic drugs but he pleaded guilty and was fined Shs1m, which he paid.

Source: Daily Monitor (27/12/2012): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bubulo-West-MP-arrested-over-treason/-/688334/1651182/-/qdf731/-/index.html