ps: apparently the Red Pepper has claimed that Garang was shot twice in the head.
SPLM Leaders Accused Gen Garang of Murder
The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
August 9, 2005
Posted to the web August 8, 2005
Kampala
In a stormy meeting ahead of the Sudan peace agreement in Nairobi in January, some leaders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement accused John Garang of killing his opponents.
According to minutes of a joint meeting of the SPLM/A leadership held in Rumbek, Southern Sudan between November 29 and December 1, 2004, Garang was characterised as someone "who does not forget and does not forgive," and that whoever quarrelled him ended up dead.
Dr Justin Yac, the SPLM's representative to IGAD, said:
"Those without guns are vulnerable. The commanders are secure because they have guns to protect themselves from the chairman, but I ask, who is going to protect those of us without guns?" Garang denied the accusations.
The meeting was called following rumours that Garang had ordered the replacement and arrest of his deputy Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Salva Kiir replaced Dr Garang who died in a helicopter crash on July 30, as leader of the SPLM and first Vice President of Sudan. At the acrimonious meeting attended by 240 leaders, Salva Kiir accused Garang of taking "the Movement as his own property."
Salva Kiir said, "Those who are misleading you and giving you false security information about others will suffer with you together or leave with you."
SPLM finance minister Arthur Akuien said Garang's leadership style was "bad and cannot be corrected."
"The chairman has not been doing well in his job and he may be forced to leave his office before six years," Akuien said. After his death, Garang was widely hailed as a liberator who fought for peace.
Uganda Chopper Crash Probe Team Returns From Sudan
New Vision (Kampala)
August 9, 2005
By E. Allio And S. Candia
Kampala
Uganda's investigation team accompanied by forensic experts was last evening scheduled to return from New Site in southern Sudan, after five days of verification on the site of the plane crash.
Sudan vice-president John Garang and 13 others were killed on July 30 when President Yoweri Museveni's Russian-built Mi-172 helicopter in which they were returning to southern Sudan from Uganda crashed in the Imatong mountains.
The Ugandan probe team comprised Ahmed Sebuliba Busulwa, Barry Kashambo and Maj. Pascal Mangeni. They were named by works minister John Nasasira.
State minister for international relations Henry Okello Oryem said the Ugandan team was working closely with the Russian team which is still camped in New Site where the UN probe team also resides.
The Sudan government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA/M) separately appointed verification teams that are helping the UN team.
The Government chartered two planes early yesterday which left Entebbe for New Site at around 11.00am. One was to bring the bodies and the other, the probe team and forensic experts.
Bodies Delayed
The Monitor (Kampala)
August 9, 2005
By Simon Kasyate, Hussein Bogere & Peter Nyanzi
THE bodies of the seven Ugandans who died in the July 30 helicopter crash that also killed Sudanese Vice President, Lt. Gen. John Garang have been delayed again.
The bodies are scheduled to arrive at 8am today. They were first expected to arrive in the country from Sudan on Thursday, but they were withheld for investigations. The government cancelled a holiday, which it had declared on Thursday to pray for the deceased.
The bodies were again expected to arrive by Sunday, but they did not.
The government again said the bodies would arrive by last evening and had prepared to declare tomorrow a public holiday. But by last evening the last hope had vanished and new information said the bodies will arrive today. The bodies were reportedly delayed by the team of experts investigating the helicopter crash.
The Assistant Chief of Staff, Brig. Benon Biraro told journalists at Entebbe Airport yesterday that the delay was partly caused by the runway in Juba in southern Sudan lacking navigation lights and the need for the investigators to be "thorough."
"The team of experts on the ground, in their bid to be thorough, have partly caused the delay," Biraro said. He said the delay was also partly due to the late departure of the Ugandan plane to New Site in southern Sudan to pick the bodies.
The seven bodies are of Col. Peter Nyakairu, the president's chief pilot; Capt. Paul Kiyimba, co-pilot; Maj. Patrick Kiggundu, flight engineer; Mr Samuel Bakoowa, chief of protocol at State House and Lt. John Munanura, jet officer.
Others are of Ms Lillian Kabaije, an airhostess to the President and Cpl. Hassan Kiiza, a Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB) signaller.
Garang was buried in the Sudanese town of Juba on Saturday, but family members of the seven Ugandans on the ill-fated helicopter have since endured the agony of waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to arrive in the country.
The Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, the Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and the Air Force Commander, Col. Turyagyenda were at the airport yesterday to receive the bodies. The Airbase Commandant, Maj. Moses Rwakitarate was present.
A van from the Uganda Funeral Services was also on standby to transport the bodies. A guard of honour had been put on standby to salute the fallen Ugandans. The soldiers dispersed after news came in that the bodies would not arrive last evening.
Biraro said that upon arrival the bodies will be taken to Mulago Hospital or Mbuya Military Hospital for treatment and the family members will view them there.
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