Kampala Uganda – A group of 36 Ugandans, claiming to be members of the FDC-Katonga faction, were handed over to Ugandan authorities by Kenyan security on Tuesday night for conducting illegal political activities in Kisumu, Kenya.
According to Paul Mugisha, an external security officer, the Kenyan government had grown suspicious of the group’s activities due to their lack of a contact person or coordinator in Kenya. “Kenyan security alerted the Ugandan government about suspicious activities by Ugandans,” Mugisha said. “They were operating in a group and didn’t have a contact person, so they detected a security threat.”
The group, however, claims they were in Kenya for a week-long leadership training exercise aimed at improving the leadership of FDC Katonga. “We wanted to improve the leadership of FDC Katonga and close the leadership gap,” said Mr. Samuel Makokha Mugeni, the group coordinator. “We selected a number of people to get more skills in leadership and mobilize others.”
Mr. Mugeni also explained that they chose Ukweli Pastoral Leadership Centre in Kisumu County, Kenya, as the ideal location for their training due to its conducive environment. “We needed a better environment than what Uganda could offer to train our young members in leadership skills,” he said. “Ukweli provided the perfect setting for us to focus on our goals without distractions.”
The group was assembled at Kololo Independence Grounds on Wednesday afternoon, ready to be handed over to the police for further interrogation. Mugisha praised the collaboration between Kenyan and Ugandan security forces, saying, “Thank God, in liaison with Kenya security, this group was brought back yesterday night.”
