Bigombe gets suspicious calls
Sep 04, 2005
SECURITY agencies are investigating suspicious phone calls to chief northern war peace mediator Betty Bigombe and a number of government officials by people purporting to be LRA commanders in the bush.
By Emmy Allio
SECURITY agencies are investigating suspicious phone calls to chief northern war peace mediator Betty Bigombe and a number of government officials by people purporting to be LRA commanders in the bush.
Bigombe was recently made to travel to a jungle location in Gulu where she waited in vain for nearly two hours to meet rebel commanders who never showed up, sources said.
The trip followed a call from a person claiming to be a rebel commander who wanted “talks preceding surrender.â€
In another incident, Gulu district chairman Col. Walter Ochora lost two new mobile phones and an unspecified amount of money when he was called by persons purporting to be Lt. Cols Acellam and Lutwala.
They reportedly claimed that they had 68 rebel fighters ready to surrender. They asked Ochora for two new mobile phones and money which he provided.
The head of Acholi traditional chiefs, Rwot Acana, has reportedly received similar calls.
Ochora said yesterday, “I was happy and informed the military who suspended operations in that locality on Gulu-Anaka road. After two hours of waiting, nobody turned up and I have never received a call from them.â€
Military Intelligence is investigating the calls. “We shall arrest such people,†said acting CMI chief Col. James Mugira.
The callers, some soliciting cash or mobile phones, use the names of top LRA officers to lure government officials.
Earlier last week, a caller claiming to be a Kony commander reportedly telephoned radio stations in Kampala and said the LRA had sent a delegation to London through southern Sudan to meet a Uganda government delegation.
But Bigombe said yesterday the report was false. She said she was in contact with Joseph Kony, the elusive LRA leader.
Internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the Government was committed to ending the war.
“But such peace teams must be assessed first. The Government does not follow rumours,†Rugunda (below) said.
SECURITY agencies are investigating suspicious phone calls to chief northern war peace mediator Betty Bigombe and a number of government officials by people purporting to be LRA commanders in the bush.
Bigombe was recently made to travel to a jungle location in Gulu where she waited in vain for nearly two hours to meet rebel commanders who never showed up, sources said.
The trip followed a call from a person claiming to be a rebel commander who wanted “talks preceding surrender.â€
In another incident, Gulu district chairman Col. Walter Ochora lost two new mobile phones and an unspecified amount of money when he was called by persons purporting to be Lt. Cols Acellam and Lutwala.
They reportedly claimed that they had 68 rebel fighters ready to surrender. They asked Ochora for two new mobile phones and money which he provided.
The head of Acholi traditional chiefs, Rwot Acana, has reportedly received similar calls.
Ochora said yesterday, “I was happy and informed the military who suspended operations in that locality on Gulu-Anaka road. After two hours of waiting, nobody turned up and I have never received a call from them.â€
Military Intelligence is investigating the calls. “We shall arrest such people,†said acting CMI chief Col. James Mugira.
The callers, some soliciting cash or mobile phones, use the names of top LRA officers to lure government officials.
Earlier last week, a caller claiming to be a Kony commander reportedly telephoned radio stations in Kampala and said the LRA had sent a delegation to London through southern Sudan to meet a Uganda government delegation.
But Bigombe said yesterday the report was false. She said she was in contact with Joseph Kony, the elusive LRA leader.
Internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the Government was committed to ending the war.
“But such peace teams must be assessed first. The Government does not follow rumours,†Rugunda (below) said.