Kigali nets UPDF capt
Apr 05, 2005
Rwandan authorities are holding a Ugandan army officer, Capt. David Kibirango Mugambe, on allegations of espionage.
By Emmy Allio
Rwandan authorities are holding a Ugandan army officer, Capt. David Kibirango Mugambe, on allegations of espionage.
Kigali police said Kibirango, a UPDF officer No. R0452, could have been sent by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). He was arrested at Kagitumba border post where he said he was fleeing political persecution in Uganda, according to the Kigali-based New Times newspaper.
UPDF spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said Kibirango was not a CMI operative but a man who fled last December from the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU).
“VCCU found out that while serving in the UPDF in Mbale, Kibirango was illegally hiring guns to robbers. He is wanted in Uganda for aggravated robbery,†the army spokesman said.
Bantariza said the army declared Kibirango an AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) on February 16, 2005 at 16:23 hours.
“In my opinion, Rwanda should charge Kibirango with illegal entry,†he said.
The New Times quoted the Rwanda police spokesman, Tony Kuramba, as saying, “He is under arrest and investigations are under way.â€
But Rwanda’s military said Kibirango was sent by a CMI officer, Capt. Buturo, who they said heads the desk charged with sending operatives to Rwanda.
Rwanda army spokesman Col. Patrick Karegeya said, “This is not an isolated case. It is a pattern from the Ugandan government strategy of sending intelligence operatives to Rwanda who present themselves as persecuted Ugandans. They later return to Uganda where they are paraded as PRA fighters trained in Rwanda.â€
Uganda accuses Rwanda of aiding the People’s Redemption Army (PRA), which it links to exiled opposition leader Col Kiiza Besigye, but Rwanda denies the charges.
Besigye has repeatedly denied heading any rebel force to overthrow the Governmnet.
Ends
Rwandan authorities are holding a Ugandan army officer, Capt. David Kibirango Mugambe, on allegations of espionage.
Kigali police said Kibirango, a UPDF officer No. R0452, could have been sent by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). He was arrested at Kagitumba border post where he said he was fleeing political persecution in Uganda, according to the Kigali-based New Times newspaper.
UPDF spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said Kibirango was not a CMI operative but a man who fled last December from the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU).
“VCCU found out that while serving in the UPDF in Mbale, Kibirango was illegally hiring guns to robbers. He is wanted in Uganda for aggravated robbery,†the army spokesman said.
Bantariza said the army declared Kibirango an AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) on February 16, 2005 at 16:23 hours.
“In my opinion, Rwanda should charge Kibirango with illegal entry,†he said.
The New Times quoted the Rwanda police spokesman, Tony Kuramba, as saying, “He is under arrest and investigations are under way.â€
But Rwanda’s military said Kibirango was sent by a CMI officer, Capt. Buturo, who they said heads the desk charged with sending operatives to Rwanda.
Rwanda army spokesman Col. Patrick Karegeya said, “This is not an isolated case. It is a pattern from the Ugandan government strategy of sending intelligence operatives to Rwanda who present themselves as persecuted Ugandans. They later return to Uganda where they are paraded as PRA fighters trained in Rwanda.â€
Uganda accuses Rwanda of aiding the People’s Redemption Army (PRA), which it links to exiled opposition leader Col Kiiza Besigye, but Rwanda denies the charges.
Besigye has repeatedly denied heading any rebel force to overthrow the Governmnet.
Ends