Army dismisses rebel existence in Teso

By Godfrey Ojore 

The Ugandan army has dismissed reports that a new rebel group is forming in the Teso region of eastern Uganda.

Soroti deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Joseph Osotto was reported by Etop newspaper to have said that a new rebel group had been formed in Teso to oust the government. 

“The Iteso living outside Uganda entered Teso land through Nairobi (Kenya) during the Christmas season. We are reliably informed that they have motives of launching a rebellion to oust the current regime,” Osotto was quoted.

However the army has come out public on the matter and has described the remarks as mere rumors. 

Etop is a sister newspaper to New Vision.

“We have no such information in our archives, and neither is it in other sister forces. The people of Teso and Lango should not panic over such allegations,” UPDF third division spokesperson Capt. Deo Akiiki said.

Akiiki warned that any groups intending to destabilize any part of the country using unconstitutional means will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according.

He added that Osotto should have mistaken the recruitment of security guards in areas of Teso and Lango for rebels.

“We are aware some private security firms have been doing recruitment of security guards in areas of Teso and Lango but these should not be mistaken for rebels because their procedures of recruitment are well stipulated,” Akiiki clarified.

He explained that other activities like Operation Restore Hope are still ongoing in areas of Teso to get rid of any illegal arms.

The Captain also disclosed that since June last year, ten bombs and grenades, 24 submachine guns and 769 rounds of ammunitions have been recovered in the region.