City lawyer Kasongo defends Iraq deal
May 12, 2005
A CITY lawyer, who was contracted by an American-based security firm to recruit Ugandans for deployment in Iraq, yesterday insisted that the firm had a link with the US government.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
and Emmy Allio
A CITY lawyer, who was contracted by an American-based security firm to recruit Ugandans for deployment in Iraq, yesterday insisted that the firm had a link with the US government.
Bob Kasongo of Hall Partners told journalists in Kampala that Special Operations Consulting - Security Management Group (SOC-SMG) was recruiting people worldwide to offer non-combat security services.
“SOC-SMG got clearance from the US state department because Uganda is one of the countries friendly with the US. SOC-SMG representatives came to Uganda and spent five days assessing the situation and gave us a go-ahead.
They informed the US embassy of their presence and we got clearance from the respective security agencies,†he said.
Kasongo, who was at his office on Workers House, said SOC-SMG had been providing security services to the Iraq Coalition Provisional government.
“SOC-SMG provides security at Baghdad International Airport and is bidding to provide similar services to the US Embassy in Iraq,†he said.
Kasongo said the recruits would not only be deployed in Iraq but also in other places covered by SOC-SMG.
“SOC-SMG is giving services to Coca Cola, Microsoft, Hitachi, US Department of Energy and many other organisations,†he said.
and Emmy Allio
A CITY lawyer, who was contracted by an American-based security firm to recruit Ugandans for deployment in Iraq, yesterday insisted that the firm had a link with the US government.
Bob Kasongo of Hall Partners told journalists in Kampala that Special Operations Consulting - Security Management Group (SOC-SMG) was recruiting people worldwide to offer non-combat security services.
“SOC-SMG got clearance from the US state department because Uganda is one of the countries friendly with the US. SOC-SMG representatives came to Uganda and spent five days assessing the situation and gave us a go-ahead.
They informed the US embassy of their presence and we got clearance from the respective security agencies,†he said.
Kasongo, who was at his office on Workers House, said SOC-SMG had been providing security services to the Iraq Coalition Provisional government.
“SOC-SMG provides security at Baghdad International Airport and is bidding to provide similar services to the US Embassy in Iraq,†he said.
Kasongo said the recruits would not only be deployed in Iraq but also in other places covered by SOC-SMG.
“SOC-SMG is giving services to Coca Cola, Microsoft, Hitachi, US Department of Energy and many other organisations,†he said.