OPINION– The Security operatives in Kampala and across the country especially at Uganda common borders has been tightened following recent happenings where a 40 year old man, David Tumwine aka Busoni, who was arrested after he was found with a gun, two magazines, 24 live bullets, 3 pangas and one liter bottle of petrol and ropes.
This should not be taken lightly since this suspect, David Tumwine, is believed to be highly trained in use of machine guns and explosives, having served and later deserted the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF).
Investigations that had indicated that Tumwine claims to be a resident of Mubuteraniro village in Mubende District, works in Busia at the Border between Ugamda and kenya and yet he has links in neighbouring Rwanda where he served in the Army leaves a lot suspense that must be internally and externally examined by the investigating officers.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, Timwine is believed to have been arrested with gun and bullets whose registration is clearly marked as Rwandan owned gun, entered Uganda territory and managed to move with it up to Kampala Kisenyi Bus Terminal where he was cornered. All the way from Rwanda border, through Kyotera and other Districts, up to Kampala, there are several security check points, but these security never got to know that Tumwine carried dangerous weapons in his bag. Could this be laxity within the intelligence systems or there is connivance?.
It is now interesting or even confusing that the Police have been commended for arresting Tumwine whom they have now labelled a high profile suspect and went on to interrogate him and hand him over to more specialised Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force under the Defence Intelligence and Security – formerly Chiftainacy of Military Intelligence took over the case.
“When the security team at Kisenyi Bus Terminal tried to check the bag Tumwine was carrying, he was hesistantand attempted to flee, leaving behind his bag, luckily enough, the security team pursued him and arrested him” A national Newspaper reported.
Therefore, commendation should first be piled on the entire security apparatus manning the Kisenyi Bus Terminal in Kampala whose methods of approach to the security concerns especially at this peak time of festive season made a breakthrough to apprehended Tumwine who had evaded arrest from the Rwanda border up to Kampala. Needless to say what Tumwine carried was very dangerous and his plans were curtailed before his final mission was accomplished.
Much this has created inquisitiveness and panic among the security agencies as to why the suspect smuggled such rifle marked as Rwandan, and above all also contravenes the Rwanda government constitution, more elaborate investigations must be done because it’s suspected that Tumwine is or was working with others who now remain a threat to Uganda’s security and indeed a wider net should be extended not only to his village in Mubende District but to all his workmates and network of money lenders and mobile money dealers in Busia Town.
Whereas the security remains unclear on Tumwine’s nationality, it should come out and make it public, because this will open up more information about his dealings and also may interest the neighbouring Rwanda security agencies on how their registered and marked gun found its way into Uganda especially within the hands of a person who served in their forces.
No wonder, the Ugandan security recently burst several Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Uganda and several suspects some of whom were disguised as mobile money dealers have been apprehended as collaborators.
Back to the point, the Kisenyi Bus Terminal Security headed by Paul Muhwezi need to be commended and hailed for the bold move and effort they put to arrest Tumwine before handing him over to Old Kampala Crime and Intelligence Officers. It should be on record that this Kisenyi Bus Terminal security team is vigilant and ready to protect travellers lives and their property.
The Writer is a Journalist
