Security minister Gen. Henry Tumukunde and his officials are investigating circumstances under which several Ugandans farmers are abducted by armed Congolese government agents across the border of Kanungu District.
This follows the weekend release of a Uganda national who was early this month abducted while attending to his gardens in across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo with serious body injuries.
Kyariisima Yoanasani in his mid 40s had been under the military custody in Congo who continuously demanded for Shs20 million ransom before releasing him but were only given Shs4 million.
Gen. Tumukunde is Kanungu to asses the general security matters and find out a solution to the rampant cross border crimes.
The Kanungu District Police Commander, Joab Wabwire coordinated the arrest of 16 congolese following a similar incident in which four Ugandans had been abducted from Kyabuyorwa village in Butogota town council which is also at the borderline.
Mr Wabwire confirmed Gen. Tumukunde’s mission and said they had arrested eight people in connection with Kyariisima abduction.
There has also been a wave of gun-related murders in the neighbouring Kisoro District also blamed on irate Congolese.
Relatedly, United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region Said Djinnit is today Tuesday expected to meet with President Museveni for a high-level meeting in Uganda comes against the backdrop of reports that former DRC rebel movement M23 is regrouping.
The U.N. officials are seeking reassurance that M23 fighters would not return to DRC to wreak havoc.
Hundreds of M23 combatants cantoned at Bihanga barracks in western Uganda recently escaped from the defence facility.
Some of them were intercepted in Mbarara by security services while travelling to the south western part of the country.
They are detained at UPDF’s Makenke barracks, 2nd Division, Mbarara.
