Seven suspected terrorists have been arrested in a joint counter-terrorism security operation conducted in Butambala, Mpigi District.
This website has exclusively learnt that among the suspects is a close relative of Sheikh Sulaiman Nsubuga, a top collaborator of ADF terror group, which was responsible for last year’s Kampala bomb attacks.
Sheikh Nsubuga until today remains at large.
A top security official who asked not to be named told this website that following heightened operations on ADF cells in Kampala and its suburbs, the terrorists retreated to neighbouring towns of Mpigi, Masaka, Mbale and Mubende.
Security agents from counter-terrorism sectors have been closely been following the top collaborators responsible recruiting, training and later sending the young terrorists to DRC for radicalization.
Sheikh Nsubuga has been using his networks to identify vulnerable individuals and families to recruit from.
Last year Nsubuga’s associate Sheikh Mohammed Kirevu aka Abbas Kirevu was gunned down in Kyengera Town Council.
President Museveni has over time said Nsubuga is at the vanguard of recruiting terrorists in Uganda on behalf of ADF.
Butambala Raid
As security keeps trailing Sheikh Nsubuga, a few days his close relative was arrested.
In his confession, he said they had retreated to Butambala and were disguising their operations as builders.
At the time of the raid on Tuesday, the suspected terrorists were found building a mosque in Butambala, an area that is largely occupied by Muslims in central Uganda.
“Upon seeing security cars, these builders attempted to flee into the nearby jungle. But we managed to capture at least 7,” said a source.
As security operatives made a search inside the mosque several items were discovered including maps, bomb making equipment, training kits in Arabic language.
The suspects revealed that Sheikh Nsubuga has been facilitating their training.
They were brought to Kampala for further management as the hunt for Sheikh Nsubuga intensifies.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga couldn’t be reached for a comment. Luke Owoyesgire, the spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police when contacted said “Butambala is not under KMP.”
Last year, three people were killed and hundreds injured in Kampala capital city in two separate bomb attacks. Previously one person died after a bomb exploded at a bar in the outskirt of Kampala- Komamboga.
ADF would later claim responsibility.
In a move to fight terrorism in the region, Uganda working closely with DRC launched an offensive against ADF in Eastern Congo in December. The operation has so far registered tremendous achievements.
