Rabwoni Our SPY - Mayombo

By Juliet Nankinga Acting chief of Military Intelligence Lt. Col. Noble Mayombo has said he used his brother, Major Rabwoni Okwir, to spy on Col Kizza Besigye's camp during elections. "In my capacity as the acting Chief of Military Intelligence, I encouraged him (Okwir) to join the Elect Besigye Task Force (EBTF) so that he gives me information about security-related plans of that group and he agreed to do so," Mayombo said in his affidavit in support of president-elect Yoweri Museveni's defence. Mayombo is one of the witnesses listed by Museveni in his defence against the presidential election petition filed by Besigye who wants the March 12 election results annulled. Mayombo, who said he was a Member of Parliament representing Uganda People's Defence Forces, denied the allegations that he and Maj. Gen. David Tinyefuza forced Rabwoni to sign a document announcing his withdrawal from the Besigye task Force. "It is not true that on February 21, I forced Hon Okwir to make a statement disassociating himself from EBTF as stated in the affidavit of Hon Okwir," Mayombo added. He said Okwir was a close friend he had used on security matters after his return from Rwanda. Mayombo said on many occasions, Okwir had given him information of security issues on Besigye camp. He said Okwir spied and informed him that Besigye and Nasser Sebaggala planned to start an insurgency if Besigye lost the elections. He also said the two had linked up with people who were throwing bombs in the city. Mayombo said he was informed that Besigye and Ssebagala planned to kidnap their own members and blame it on the Government, and to hire assassins to kill prominent politicians. "Further that they had imported guns and were receiving money from neighbouring countries, which were interested in destabilising the country," he added. Mayombo said Okwir voluntarily made the statement of withdrawal from EBTF, saying the camp planned subversive activities. Although he accepted giving orders to UPDF officers who forcefully arrested Okwir, Mayombo denied that the Major was tortured in his presence. Okwir said he was tortured and injured during his arrest at Entebbe Airport. He said Mayombo, Tinyefuza and Col. Kasirye Gwanga coerced him to make a statement withdrawing from Besigye's task force. Okwir was in charge of the youth desk. Tinyefuza has also filed in his affidavit refuting Okwir's allegations. Tinyefuza said Okwir voluntarily signed the statement in his presence and shook hands and later promised to put in writing the report he had given them verbally on security matters. "I know that Okwir voluntarily decided to withdraw from EBTF. At no time whatsoever did I force him to sign a statement withdrawing nor was he forced to sign such a statement by any other person in my presence as alleged," he said. Over 120 affidavits have been filled in court to support Museveni's defence. Among others is that of Mawogola MP Sam Kutesa, who denied interfering with the March 12 elections in his constituency as alleged by the petitioners' witness, Francis Byekwaso. Ends