Dr. Charles Ayume, the Koboko Municipality member of parliament, expressed concern over the continued detention of their brothers and sons, stating that the people of Koboko believe they are innocent and fear for their safety.
Leaders from Koboko, led by their area Members of Parliament, have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to pardon and release three of their detained sons, who are suspected of treason-related activities.
The detainees include Colonel George Buga, a UPDF Air Force MI-24 Attack Helicopter Pilot and Squadron Commander. Col. Buga, who had been serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia, was reportedly recalled towards the end of last year and has been held at Luzira Prison since December 6, 2024.
The other two, Ismail Aloro and a man identified only as Data, were arrested in Ariwara, DR Congo, on allegations of rebel recruitment, according to Taban Amin, the Deputy Director of the External Security Organization in charge of West Nile. The two were detained in Arua after being captured mid-last year for allegedly recruiting rebels inside DR Congo.
However, Amin declined to disclose their current whereabouts, stating they have a case to answer regarding their activities in Congo. Dr. Charles Ayume, the Koboko Municipality member of parliament, expressed concern over the continued detention of their brothers and sons, stating that the people of Koboko believe they are innocent and fear for their safety.
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Dr. Sharifa Aate, the Koboko Woman MP, urged President Museveni to consider pardoning the detainees, arguing that they could instead be engaged in political mobilization for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
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Hajat Medina Naham Ojale, the NRM Director of Finance and aspiring MP for Koboko County, warned the youth against engaging in rebellion. She cited the West Nile Bank Front insurgency of the 1990s, which brought misery to the region, as an example of the consequences of such actions.
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The leaders cautioned that if the matter remains unresolved, it could impact the outcome of the 2026 NRM primaries and general elections in the region.
