By Mercy Nalugo
Nov 19, 2003 - Monitor
|
PARLIAMENT - The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Mr Kezimbira Miyingo, yesterday told Parliament that the Reform Agenda is funding the People's Redemption Army rebels to overthrow government. He was briefing Parliament's Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs about the security situation in the country. "Some members of the Reform Agenda are contributing funds, facilitating movement of recruits and providing drugs to the rebels," the minister said, without naming names. He said the government was monitoring the activities of those involved. The Reform Agenda is a political pressure group led by the exiled Col. Kizza Besigye, who lost to President Yoweri Museveni in the 2001 presidential elections. The Reform Agenda officials have consistently denied any links to any armed rebel groups. "This group, linked to Reform Agenda, is continuing to clandestinely mobilise veterans and some youth for military training," Miyingo said. "Their intention is to wage an armed rebellion against the government of Uganda." The government alleges that renegade lieutenant colonels Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale, with Col. Edison Muzoora, command the PRA. Their training bases are reportedly in eastern DR Congo. Miyingo said that although the elite unit of the PRA was decimated, following their capture in Ituri in March, intelligence information indicates that they have a force in areas controlled by the Rwanda-backed Congolese RCD-Goma rebels in eastern DR Congo. He said that Muzoora and Maj. Muhindo command the PRA. Mr Nyombi Thembo (Kassanda North) asked the government to prosecute Reform Agenda (members) without delay if there is evidence implicating the group in subversion. "We still see Reform Agenda operating freely," the MP said. "This is a political wing of the PRA and these people are traitors fighting our Constitution." He said leaving the Reform Agenda free would set a bad precedent. "Let us see government taking action. And if they are not [subversive], keep quiet because this is a crime. An accomplice of a rebel group is a criminal." "And why Reform Agenda and not Democratic Party or Uganda Peoples Congress?" Mr Harry Kasigwa (Jinja West) asked. He also wondered whether it was due to the group's formidable challenge to government during the presidential elections that government was linking its members to rebels. The minister had earlier said that between 300-400 remnants of the rebel Allied Democratic Forces have been reorganising in Eringeti (Semliki Game Reserve) and Mwalika (in Virunga National Park) in eastern DR Congo. He said this has been going on since September. |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
Do you Yahoo!?
Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard
