The army and police have recovered crude weapons, army gadgets and fuel that security believes were stockpiled to be used in the deadly attacks in the Rwenzori region.

news004+pic Army uniforms similar to those worn by the UPDF and the soldiers from the Africa Union peace keeping mission in Somalia were found. Other items recovered during a joint operation in Bundibugyo, Ntoroko and Kasese districts, include 50 pangas, 14 Jerrycans of petrol and 100 sharpened knives.

The machetes were recovered from a saloon car that was intercepted in Kasese Town on its way to Hamukungu fishing village in lake Katwe Sub-county on Monday night. This area is dominated by Basongora, the minority ethnic in Kasese District.

According to the Rwenzori region police spokesperson, Mr Bashir Bakali Muga, the vehicle transporting the machetes was intercepted after intelligence learnt of its “suspicious mission”.
“We have impounded the vehicle. The driver and the owner of the car are in cells but we are yet to know the motive behind the transportation,” Mr Muga said.

Three pairs of sleeping bags, two pairs of warmers, four pairs of army gum boots, four army shoes, one pair of police boots, and one jacket belonging to Uganda Wild life Authority were also recovered, as well as one pair of army belts, two army water bottles, one first aid army bag, tarpaulin and a jacket of Group Four Security.

Separately, more than 300 spears, 200 knives and 150 pangas were recovered in Kidoodo Cell in Kasese, according to Mr Muga.

The army’s Rwenzori regional spokesperson, Lt Ninsiima Rwemijuma, said the recovered army equipment in Kidoodo Cell could have been for veterans and deserters from Somalia. “Any army operations are guided by intelligence reports and Kidodo is among the target areas where the wrong elements that are behind the weekend attack are hiding,” Lt Rwemijuma said.

Mr Jackson Kitambara, a motorcyclist, said business had been paralysed and residents were living in fear.
However, another resident Mr Nelson Kabakwa, hailed the security agencies and called for regular security checks to ensure safety of people and their property.