Uganda People 's Redemption Army : IMC-SA

By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
IT started as a rumour. Then young men started disappearing from various districts in western Uganda. They reportedly joined the People’s Redemption Army (PRA). Now security sources say 3,000 are planning to attack Uganda.
Intelligence sources last week said the PRA was regrouping around the
shores of Lake Albert in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an attempt to launch attacks in West Nile.
The sources also said that PRA commanders are in contact with remnants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) for a possible merger.
According to the source, PRA has been recruiting youths from Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.
Army spokesman, Major Shaban Bantariza said the PRA was operating around eastern DRC and trying to recruit youth from Bushenyi, Kyenjojo and Bundibugyo.
“We have information that they are trying to recruit but they do not have a camp yet. All we know is they are trying to survive and perhaps stage an offensive,” he said.
Bantariza, however, doubted the PRA’s reported numerical strength. “It is true they have been recruiting but the number is not yet 3,000,” he said.
According to Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) sources, Joseph Musaasizi, who is in detention over alleged treason and who is a brother to exiled former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye, was heading the recruitment drive in western Uganda.
Last month, a joint security operation captured James Katabazi in Koboko and nine other people suspected to be PRA operatives or collaborators. Three others were arrested a week later.
James Katabazi alias London is a renegade UPDF captain who was Col. Samson Mande’s aide. His army number is RA 285 and he is believed to be fourth in the PRA hierarchy after Col. Samson Mande, Col. Anthony Kyakabale and Col Edson Muzora who have all denied involvement in PRA recruitment and planning.

TWO Makerere University students were yesterday remanded in Kigo Prison over treason charges.

Robert Tweyambe Bagwna, 31 and Peter Atwongyire, 42, appeared before Buganda Road magistrate’s court.

Atwongyire is the Kebison sub-county councillor in Rukungiri district.

The two, all graduate students, join 14 others who were recently charged with treason.

Court heard that the two committed the offence between January and November this year in Nebbi, Arua, Yumbe, Rukungiri and Kampala districts.

They are accused of recruiting and mobilising logistical support like firearms, ammunition and intelligence information to the Peoples Redemption Army.

They are also accused of failing to report the activities to the Police, Attorney General and the district resident district commissioners.
They reappear in court on December 29.

Buganda Road Court has ordered Kigo Prison authorities to allow Private Medical doctors examine and treat five men on treason charges.The suspects are the two Makerere University students Robert Tweyambe and Peter Atwongyeire Capt. James Katabazi, Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s brother Joseph Musasizi and Rukungiri District Speaker George Tumwesigye.

In their application, lawyers to the accused said their clients were arrested and terribly tortured at Kololo Summit View by Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) operatives.They added that the prison authorities do not allow the prison doctors to treat them.

Magistrate Atukwasa noted that the prison has abused the suspects’ human rights by denying them access to medical treatment.
They are jointly charged with 11 others including a Kampala businessman George William Mugisha. They all appeared before Magistrate Justine Atukwasa.Prosecution accuses them of having contrived a plot to overthrow the government of Uganda by force of arms and availing logistical support to the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) rebels.

Magistrate Atukwasa ordered prison authorities following an application by defence lawyers wanting court to issue the same order.