Information on Herbert Itongwa and the National Democratic Army (NDA), on areas in which this group is active, and on whether Mr. Itongwa was assisted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) [UGA25227.E]

The attached 13 April 1995 Agence France Presse (AFP) report states that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a rebel movement based in central Uganda. This movement which is "made up mainly of army deserters from Uganda's largest ethnic group, the Baganda," "is fighting for the introduction of a federal system in Uganda" (ibid.).

The attached 2 April 1995 Reuters report states that the NDA had been operating around Luwero, 65km north of Kampala, since January 1995.

The attached 11 June 1995 Reuters report states that the NDA is led by Herbert Itongwa, a former commander of the Ugandan Army.

The attached 22 April 1995 article from The Indian Ocean Newsletter quotes a Ugandan army spokesman as stating that "Herbert Itongwa (whose real name is Herbert Kilomeko) (is) a Muganda tribesman born in the Luwero Triangle who had been based at Mbuya Barracks, near Kampala, before deserting."

The attached 24 September 1995 Manchester Guardian Weekly article reports on the arrest of six Itongwa followers at Luwero, in central Buganda.

The attached 2 December 1996 East African Standard report quotes a Ugandan government-owned newspaper which reported that NDA leader Herbert Itongwa fled to Nairobi, Kenya.

The attached 16 January 1996 Agence France Presse (AFP) states that NDA members were among the seven Ugandan dissidents handed over to Uganda by the Kenyan authorities.

The attached 5 February 1996 Reuters and 10 February 1996 Indian Ocean Newsletter reports state that NDA leader Herbert Itongwa was arrested by the Kenyan police. According to the Reuters article, Ugandan president Museveni ruled out the possibility of any extradition procedures against Itongwa.

The attached 5 February 1996 report from Nairobi's The East African quotes Kenyan officials as stating that NDA leader Herbert Itongwa was put under UNHCR protection on Saturday 3 February 1996, and that as an UNHCR refugee Itongwa could not be extradited to Uganda.

The attached KNA News Agency report published in the 1-29 February 1996 issue of Africa Research Bulletin quotes Kenyan intelligence sources as stating that Itongwa was handed over to the Nairobi office of the UNHCR, and then moved to the Dadaad refugee camp in North Eastern Province (12151).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1-29 February 1996. Vol. 33, No. 2. "In Brief: Uganda-Kenya."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 16 January 1996. "Kenya Extradites Ugandan Dissidents: Newspaper." (NEXIS)

_____. 13 April 1995. "Two Rebel Commanders Captured in Central Uganda." (NEXIS)

The East African [Nairobi, in English]. 5 February 1996. "Uganda: Rebel Leader Major Itongwa Said Still in Kenya." (FBIS-AFR-96-025 5 Feb. 1996). [Internet], URL: http://www.fedworld.gov/cgi-bin/retrieve , [Internet], URL : http://www.Fedworld.gov [Accessed: 26 Sept. 1996]

East African Standard [Nairobi, in English]. 2 December 1995. "Uganda: Rebel Leader Reportedly Flees to Kenya." (IAC Newsletter database 7 Dec. 1995/NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 10 February 1996. "Tit for Tat." (NEXIS)

_____. 22 April 1995. "Fred Mpiso, Herbert Itongwa (Uganda)." (NEXIS)

Manchester Guardian Weekly }London]. Jean Helene. "Museveni Champions 'No Party' Rule." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 5 February 1996. BC Cycle."Kenya Arrests Ugandan Rebel, Museveni Says." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 June 1995. BC Cycle. Edmond Kizito. "Ugandan President Faces Growing Array of Rebels." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 April 1995. "Uganda: Rebels Threaten War, Minister Abducted." (IAC Newsletter Database 3 Apr. 1995/NEXIS)

Attachments

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1-29 February 1996. Vol. 33, No. 2. "In Brief: Uganda-Kenya," p. 12151.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 16 January 1996. "Kenya Extradites Ugandan Dissidents: Newspaper." (NEXIS)

_____. 13 April 1995. "Two Rebel Commanders Captured in Central Uganda." (NEXIS)

The East African [Nairobi, in English]. 5 February 1996. "Uganda: Rebel Leader Major Itongwa Said Still in Kenya." (FBIS-AFR-96-025 5 Feb. 1996). [Internet], URL: http://www.fedworld.gov/cgi-bin/retrieve , [Internet], URL : http://www.Fedworld.gov [Accessed: 26 Sept. 1996]

East African Standard [Nairobi, in English]. 2 December 1995. "Uganda: Rebel Leader Reportedly Flees to Kenya." (IAC Newsletter database 7 Dec. 1995/NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 10 February 1996. "Tit for Tat." (NEXIS)

_____. 22 April 1995. "Fred Mpiso, Herbert Itongwa (Uganda)." (NEXIS)

Manchester Guardian Weekly }London]. Jean Helene. "Museveni Champions 'No Party' Rule." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 5 February 1996. BC Cycle."Kenya Arrests Ugandan Rebel, Museveni Says." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 June 1995. BC Cycle. Edmond Kizito. "Ugandan President Faces Growing Array of Rebels." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 April 1995. "Uganda: Rebels Threaten War, Minister Abducted." (IAC Newsletter Database 3 Apr. 1995/NEXIS)