Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, has said there are no rebels in Uganda and described the attacks on Police posts and security forces as criminals being incited by political actors.

He also scoffed at rumours that the attacks are being perpetuated by rebels in the country.

Kulayigye and other UPDF high-ranking officers accompanied defence minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja who last week visited Kikuube district to monitor army farms in Ngoma, Kyangwali sub-county.

His comments come after a spate of attacks carried out on Police posts, soldiers and security guards by unknown assailants that have led to the loss of lives and injuries. 

Laziness

Kulayigye attributed the increase in criminality to challenges to the lack of interest in work by the youth and listening to rumourmongers instead of exchanging developmental ideas. 

He also attributed the criminality to political actors who keep on assuring the youth that the government is about to fall yet that is not true.

“This government is still in charge, they have misled the young people to think, that it is just picking a gun here and there like you can easily rob a shop. You cannot overthrow a government, no it is still around,” he said.

Govt faulted

He also blamed the challenge on government institutions that have failed to explain the achievement of the government to the youth, which has caused desperation from the thought that nothing is going to change for the better for the youth.

He reminded Ugandans that the country has previously experienced such criminality, citing the Masaka machete-wielding attackers. He said these attacks were fought and stopped by the Government and promised that it is going to handle the current situation.

“Is this the first wave of criminality? Interesting that you Ugandans pick things in isolation. There was a spate of killing and raping girls in Wakiso and Entebbe. After that, we had the issue of pangas in Masaka and now in Luweero," Kulayigye said.

"So, why are they picking on Luweero? This is because it is where we [National Resistance Army] passed, criminality always happens and there is always a phase of everything. So, when there is a phase of attacking Police posts, it would be wise not to panic that it is a rebellion because we understand the factors contributing to this and its better we deal with them,” he added.

Attacks on security personnel

• On July 25, 2022, unknown machete-wielding men attacked a traffic police roadblock at Kiwumba on the Kampala-Gulu highway and killed a Police officer who was guarding the traffic police on duty. Guns were stolen.

• On August 1st this year, two officers attached to Kayabwe Police station, Paul NKolo and his colleague, Lawrence Otim, were attacked by armed people who were travelling in a vehicle. The attackers wanted to take guns from the two officers who were heading for night duty at a Catholic church at Mitala Maria, parish, Buwama town council. In the fracas, Otim was shot and injured, but the officers managed to save the guns.

• On October 31, 2022, armed men attacked Busiika Police station in Luweero district, shot and killed two Police officers and later disappeared with their guns.

• On November 17, 2022, when unknown people attacked and killed Sgt Simon Peter Eyagu, who was guarding at Amber Court Road close to Gadaffi Barracks Jinja Cantonment. Two guns were also stolen.

• The most recent attack was on a security guard belonging to GKO Security who was beaten to near death and robbed of a firearm on Monday, November 21, 2022. The attack was in Kasangati town council, Wakiso district.

According to Deputy IGP Geofrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, the Police, together with other security organs, are handling the matter and all the culprits behind these crimes will be arrested and charged before the lawful courts.

He made the remarks during a visit to the Katonga policing region, which is made up of the districts of Mpigi, Gomba and Butambala, last week.