28 Suspected Terrorists Held

By Felix Osike and Florence Nakaayi THE Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JAT) yesterday paraded before the press, 28 suspected terrorists including 12 women, arrested for bombings in Kampala and Jinja since January this year. The chief of Military Intelligence, Lt. Col. Noble Mayombo, told a press conference at International Conference Centre, that the three-day operation in Jinja and Kampala had also led to the recovery of materials capable of assembling 48 bombs. "This is the work of ADF under the command of Jamil Mukulu who is based in Nairobi and London who after being defeated in the Rwenzori Mountains has resorted to urban terrorism taking advantage of our weak legal system," said Mayombo who was flanked by other members of the task force. He said among those arrested were suspects released after the Baseruka case or under presidential pardon. Most of them were dressed in track suits provided by the Task Force. Among those arrested were Mukulu's two sisters, Mariam Nalubega, the financial controller in Kampala and Janat Bukirwa. Nalubega told the press that they receive money from Nairobi through Jaffery and Sky Forex Bureaus on Ben Kiwanuka Street. After receiving the money, she was under instruction to dispatch it to terrorists in different places. There were also three women with children below one-year-old. They are expected to be produced in court today. The materials recovered include seven kilogrammes of Potassium Chloride, six kilogrammes of TNT explosives, cut pieces of cast iron pipes in different sizes, capable of making over 20 bombs, one defensive grenade, soldering irons, pairs of pliers, drilling machines and 21 wrist watches used as timing clocks. Others are 15 kilogrammes of sugar, flasks, two blending machines, and a flat iron. Mayombo said the JAT this time arrested the bomb makers in addition to the throwers, coordinators and financiers. He said all the suspects had confessed to the manufacture and throwing of bombs in various places. The group also accepted responsibility for the January 28, 2001 bombing of Mini Price, Ben Kiwanuka Street, Gapco Petrol Station near Shoprite and Queens Way opposite Hollywood Cinema hall in Katwe. They were also responsible for the March 14 bombings of a Masaka-bound taxi at Buwama, and Nakivubo Channel Street. On June 4, the same group participated in bombings at the New Taxi Park, a Natete and a Maganjo-bound taxi. Some of the suspects also claimed responsibility for the July 7 bombing of Mango Bar, Lillian Pub and another site opposite the Tourist Centre all in Jinja. These bombings left 11 people dead and 49 injured. "Information available indicates that their methods include recruiting unemployed youths who were trained in bomb assembling and throwing, armed robberies of banks and vehicles, manufacture of counterfeit notes and drug trafficking to fund their terrorist activities," added Mayombo. Since 1997, 43 bombs (both grenades and improvised explosive devices) have gone off causing 67 deaths, 262 injuries and damage of properties. Those arrested were Rashid Kawawa, one of the commanders, Abdulrahim Kateregga, Yunus Muzaale, Farouk Sengendo, Aisha Wasibale, Mzamil, Latifa Nalubaale, Hawa Babirye, Namakula, Mohammed Kabayo alias Katamba, Yusuf Nyanzi alias Jimmy Sentamu who was in charge of the Jinja bombings, Annett Nanyonga Amina, Hajji Magara alias Kabody, Jamil Kamanyi, Sarah Nabanja, Nakandi Nuruyat, Abduhakim Bazakula, Marim Nalubega, Ali Muto, Senindi Assad, Ibrahim Kikuvude, Osman Mahara, Abduljihad Mohammed and Fred Nyanzi. The intelligence officers also said they had information that some of the bombers were being trained in a Nairobi, "safe house." Kawawa, 24, said he was trained by a Moses Kasujja in Nairobi for three months. "We went there in July 2000 for employment but when I reached there I was trained on bombings. Present at the press conference were army spokesman Lt. Col. Phinehas Katirima, the deputy director of CID Okoth Ochola, the deputy director General of External Security Organisation Busho Ndinyenka, Lt. Col. John Mugyenyi, Head of Police Patrol, A. Byakagaba, Capt. Chris Bagaba,. Lt. Katsigazi from Internal Security Organisation and Kubia from the Special Branch and other security officers. Ends