MPs Quiz Mayombo On Parks

By John Odyek THE acting chief of military intelligence has said the army was interested in gathering information from the city taxi and bus parks to prevent the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels from using it for recruitment. Lt. Col. Noble Mayombo, who spoke on oath before the parliamentary committee on works, transport and communications, said yesterday, "ADF was using taxis and buses to recruit rebels." Committee chairman Eng. Yorokamu Katwiremu (Sheema South) said conflicts over control of the parks had caused loss of lives and troubled passengers. He said witnesses cited military intelligence as being behind the conflicts. The committee is investigating public transport management. Mayombo said military intelligence operated in the parks to stop bomb throwers and rebels disguising themselves as passengers. "People were planting bombs in taxis and using taxis to ferry bombs," he said. He said the army recruited people in the parks to provide them with information used for combat readiness. Mayombo said the army does not determine the livelihood of informers as long as they are lawful. He said military intelligence does not own buses or taxis. "We own other businesses. We are bad managers. We cannot have soldiers collecting money. We invest in other areas," he said. He declined to comment on the businesses they are involved in. Mayombo said he rejected appeals by the chairmen of the rival groups of Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association and Freeline Taxi Club, for backing. He said the groups wanted him to organise a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni but he referred them to works, housing and communications minister John Nasasira. "Military intelligence has not been involved in advancing any taxi group or sectional groups. If you know any of my officials who is involved let me know," Mayombo said. He said he asked Nasasira and local government minister Bidandi Ssali to resolve the conflicts. He said he knew of government officials who had interests in the parks but declined to name them. He said the bomb blasts in the parks were not related to the conflicts. Ends