No probe for Kenyan minister --Lokeris
Jan 14, 2002
THE Government is not investigating Kenyan minister Samuel Poghisio, alleged to have held illegal meetings with the Karimojong warriors last December.
By Innocent Osege in MorotoTHE Government is not investigating Kenyan minister Samuel Poghisio, alleged to have held illegal meetings with the Karimojong warriors last December.Peter Lokeris, the state minister for Karamoja development, told The New Vision on Friday in an interview that Poghisio was simply questioned briefly by one of the investigating officers at the Uganda-Kenya border while on his way back to Kenya.“What happened is that as the minister was returning to Kacholiba in Kenya, he passed through Amudat and that is where he was briefly interviewed by one of the intelligence officers at the border,†Lokeris said.He said Poghisio had helped Uganda round up 180 head of cattle raided by the Kenyan Pokot from Moroto last December. “We contacted the minister and he managed to round up 180 cows raided by the Kenyan Pokot from Lorengadwar sub-county in Moroto,†Lokeris said. He commended Poghisio for his co-operation in tracking down the rustled cattle. Ruth Nankabirwa, the state minister for defence, refuted allegations that Government was investigating Poghisio in connection with holding illegal meetings with Karimojong warriors and inciting them against handing over their guns.“That is not true. As far I am concerned, I have not received such a report,†Nankabirwa said.It was reported in the press that the Kenyan minister held illegal meetings with Karimojong warriors in Kasilot village in Loroo sub- county on December 19 and 20, 2001 and was under investigation.