CID Arrest Luweero Claimants

Feb 18, 2002

THEY expected to meet President Yoweri Museveni to settle their claims but ended up under arrest at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Kampala.

By Joyce NamutebiTHEY expected to meet President Yoweri Museveni to settle their claims but ended up under arrest at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Kampala.“We are visitors of the President. When we last met him on December 22, 2001, he gave us sh80,000 and told us to come back here on February 15 this year,” Bivanju Namwenya Bukenya from Mubende told The New Vision before the CID arrested six Luweero Triangle war debt claimants.Bivanju was one of about 50 claimants who had camped close to Parliament Buildings since Saturday, demanding payment from Museveni.Those arrested were Haji Swaibu Katongole from Mawogola, Sirasi from Bukuya, Ssingo, Robert Kabalega from Kalege, Kiwanuka from Kawaala, John Kagwa and Sam Tindyebwa from Nyabushozi. By press time, the group were still at CID headquarters for investigation.The six were arrested on orders of Lt. Gen. David Tinyefunza in the presence of some members of the Luweero Triangle War Debts Verification Committee. Before the arrest, Tinyefunza addressed the claimants, saying they would be paid in March. He showed them some of the lists compiled by the committee. He also brought records giving details of those paid, how much they were paid and the balance.Tinyefuza said the claims had been reduced to about sh2b from sh6b.He rejected claims by someone from Kilolo who said he gave 62 beds. He also read out another claim of sh76m which demanded compensation for items including 1,800 bunches of matooke, 500 cows, 380 goats, 237 sheep, 15 bags of groundnuts and 250 bags of beans.Tinyefunza said as Sirasi was being arrested, “He was a youth. This man was harassing us.” Sirasi claimed he supplied maize, beans to the bush fighters and also offered his shop.Haji Katongole failed to explain to the committee what he gave to the fighters. Kaggwa was found in possession of an unsigned letter purported to be from State House saying the President agreed to pay him sh21m.Another claimant, Charles Byayesu, said his brother Tindyebwa had accompanied him.Byayesu is demanding compensation for 50 cows which he gave to the fighters.The rest of the claimants were given transport back to their homes by the committee. Members of the committee present included Elly Kayanja, Lt. Col. Nalweyiso, Maj. Matthias Sewankambo and David Kibirango, the vice-chairman of the committee.State minister for Luweero Triangle Tim Lwanga said lists of those to be paid would be dispatched this week.He advised the claimants camping at Parliament to go to their respective sub-counties where the lists will be displayed. But claimants objected to being paid from the sub-counties.Ends

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