Congo promises to flush out ADF remnants

By Vision Reporter

The Democratic Republic of Congo has given assurances to Uganda that it will flush out the remnants of the Allied Democratic Front (ADF) rebels from the eastern part of the country.

This was revealed by President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday while speaking at a memorial service of the late Francis Mugarra in Rwebisengo, Ntoroko County, Ntoroko district.

Mugarra was the MP for Ntoroko county in the 8th Parliament. The function was also victory celebrations for Mugarra's son, Martin Bahinduka Mugarra, who last year was elected to represent Ntoroko County in Parliament.

Speaking on security, the President said that government is aware of the presence of remnants of the defeated ADF in Congo. But he told the people, according to statement issued from State House, that "Uganda had got assurances from DRC that Kinshasa would flush ADF out."

Museveni said that if Uganda were given permission, the UPDF would flush ADF remnants out of their hiding niches in the shortest time possible. He warned the ADF remnants that they would pay very dearly if they dared attack Uganda and he strongly advised them to abandon banditry.

Museveni paid tribute to the late Mugarra, and described him as having been an honest focused and development oriented politician. He said Mugarra always objected to cheap and populist politics.

Museveni said Mugarra was a pioneer of development in Ntoroko area and that introduced modern farming practices and individual land ownership in the area as opposed to communal land ownership that was preferred by the Batuku of Ntoroko.

The President observed that Mugarra's stand on individual land ownership at first made him very unpopular and led him to lose the elections of 2001. But later the Batuku appreciated the importance of individual land ownership and modern agricultural practices and this made Mugarra popular paving way for his election in 2006.

Museveni challenged Mugarra's son Martin Bahinduka Mugarra to start off from where his father, who had a short stint in Parliament, ended his work to transform Ntoroko from household poverty.

Museveni was dismayed to note that though Ntoroko district is an NRM stronghold, it returned independent MPs during the last general elections. He attributed this to the failure by the NRM Party's electoral commission to handle the Primaries to the satisfaction of all Party members, which resulted into divisions.

Museveni was happy however that the independent MPs from Ntoroko are faithful supporters of the NRM and have been supporting and subscribing to all the positions of Party in Parliament.

The President urged the people in the area that they should take advantage of their tarmac road, electricity and peace to work hard and eradicate household poverty.

MP Martin Bahinduka Mugarra said thanked his electorate for the confidence they had in his father. He pledged to work to their expectation and help to transform the constituency.

Mrs. Christine Mugarra commended President Museveni for honouring her late husband who she said was a true Movement cadre.