Ugandan police detain two South Sudanese found with gun in refugee camp

Reported by Emmanuel Ogasto

Ugandan police in Obongi district have detained two South Sudanese refugees after they were reportedly found in possession of a gun.
 
James Yokujo, 22, and Emmanuel Munga, 24, both residents of Keguru Block 9 in Palorinya Refugee Camp, were intercepted along Kali-Lefori road as they travelled to neighbouring South Sudan.

The Acting Police Spokesperson North-western region, Jimmy Anguyo, said an AK47 gun with seven rounds of ammunition was recovered.

“As police officers were doing their routine duties, they encountered these two young men and demanded to search the bag they were carrying. Upon searching them, the officers recovered a gun,” Anguyo said.

“They are detained at Obongi Central Police Station pending interrogations,’ he added.

‘’We are yet to find out whether these two people are criminals or they are rebels from South Sudan,’’ he continued.

Meanwhile the office of the prime minister for west Nile Jogo Titus said the two were believed to be SPLM/IO soldiers who escaped from the cantonment in South Sudan.

He urged block leaders to always report unfamiliar faces to his office.

‘‘I am urging all the block leaders to always be alert of new faces,’’ Jogo said.

‘‘There are different people who wish to hide in refugees yet they are criminals,’’ he said.

Last month, two South Sudanese soldiers were arrested with illegal firearms in Palabek refugee settlement, Lamwo district.

Section 26 of the Fire Arms Act prohibits any importation and exportation of firearms and ammunition and any person who contravenes any of its provisions commit an offence and are liable to imprisonment for life.