13 Rebel Collaborators Arrested in Coordinated Operations

Press Release: Our Joint Security Task Teams, actively involved in countering all acts of subversive behavior, conducted three separate operations in Njeru Municipality, in Buikwe district, as well as in Zombo and Kasese districts respectively, where a total of 13 suspected rebel collaborators were arrested.

In the operation carried out in Njeru Municipality, 8 men allegedly involved in subversive activities linked to the ADF rebel group acting in North Eastern DRC.  The suspects were trailed over several months and finally tracked down to their hide out at “The Church of Christ for the Latter – day Saints” in Njeru Municipality. These include; Openjuru Howard, a 44 year old, male adult and resident of Anyong village, Paidha Trading Centre, in Zombo District; Openjuru John, a 72 year old, male adult and resident of Solia village, Paidha Trading Centre, in Zombo District; Jaker James Michael, a 53 year old, male Pastor, of the The Church of Christ of Latter –day Saints and resident of Butema Cell, Njeru Municipality in Buikwe district; Okwenyi David, a 56 year old, male adult, and resident of Upper Naava Cell in Njeru Municipality; Oburatum Juventino, a 40 year old, male adult and resident of Upper Naava Cell, Njeru Municipality; Olinga Simon peter, a 41 year old, male adult and resident of Upper Naava Cell, Njeru Municipality, Ngabijalatho Peter, a 25 year old, male adult and resident of Butema cell, Njeru Municipality and Oweka Bob Patrick, a 30 year old, male adult and resident of Bujowali cell, Njeru North Division in Buikwe district. During their arrest, they attempted to destroy their phones, flash disks, national Ids, among other items.

An additional 3 suspected rebels collaborators were arrested in another operation in Paidha Town Council.  The suspects include; Warom Felix aged 32, and resident of Mission village in Oturugang Ward; Mutumba Muhamad, a 37 year old, bodaboda rider of Jupanyondo village, and Bamusungure Robert, a 47 year old resident of Goli Trading Centre, in Nebbi district.  Also recovered during the operation, are exhibits of a motor vehicle, registration number, UAV629S, Toyota Premio, and two Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, under registration numbers, UFK162A and UER049F respectively, that are suspected to be property of the ADF rebel group.

We wish to add that two suspected Mai-Mai rebels were arrested, in Nyakabingo Cell in Kasese Municipality, by our Joint Security Teams.  The two suspected Mai-Mai rebels were identified as Bwambale Moses and Byakumbaghere James, who were in the DRC, for more than 10 years, but recently crossed into Uganda, through an illegal entry point at Kithoma.

This brings to 13, the total number of suspects, allegedly involved in subversive activities on Ugandan soil and for their strong linkages to hostile rebel groups of the ADF and Mai-Mai. They are being detained at SID Kireka, as further operations targeting other suspected rebel collaborators, agent and operatives continue. We shall ensure they face the fullest extent of the law for subversion.

We want to assure all Ugandans and visitors in the country, that we have a very robust security presence along all our borders and within the country.  We do applaud our task teams for their tireless effort in cracking down these rebel collaborators, who are bent on undermining the prevailing stability, peace and security in the country.