The Monitor (Kampala)
September 15, 2003
Posted to the web September 15, 2003
Ahmed Wetaka
Kampala
The security situation in Mbale district is fluid due to the ongoing Kony rebel incursions in Teso region.
The Resident District Commissioner, Mbale, Hajji Abbas Seguya, says several suspicious people have been arrested with arms disguised in charcoal bags and other items.
"These people are here and we are not safe, they have come in many different ways," Seguya said.
He was addressing an emergency security meeting in northern division, held at Nkoma High School on September 13.
Seguya said even if the situation in Mbale has not yet been disturbed residents should not take the peace for granted.
"If you thought Gulu was too far now the rebels are in Soroti and they recently tried to attack Kumi so, we should take security matters seriously," he appealed.
"I appeal to the thugs in this area to give us a break, let's fight the external aggressor first before we return to clean our house," he said.
Seguya called on the locals to screen all strange people in their localities including the internally displaced people (IDPs).
The officials said all IDPs are to be put in a single place for close monitoring and easy control.
