The External Security Organization (ESO) has received 36 Ugandans, 2 female and 34 male, from Kenyan security following their arrests in Kisumu.

During the handover process that took place on July 24, 2024, at Kololo Independence Grounds, Paul Mugisha, the Director Liaison and Protocol at ESO, stated that the group that identifies with the Forum of Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction was arrested in Kisumu for carrying out suspicious activities that the Kenyan authorities were unaware of.

“We were informed of the arrests by the Kenyan security, and negotiations took place. It’s only fair that they had to be handed over to the Ugandan authority rather than being kept in the Kenyan prisons. The arrested claim to be undertaking a leadership course for one week in Kisumu but had no coordinator in Kenya, which maybe explains the arrests by the Kenyan authorities,” he noted.

Samuel Muhokke Mugyenyi, the Secretary for International and Regional Relations for FDC Katonga, narrated that as a party that aims to close the leadership gaps in the country, they organized a one-week’s training meant to improve young leaders’ leadership and communication skills. He added that it was slated from July 23, 2024, to July 30, 2024, at the Ukweli Pastoral and Leadership Center in Kisumu, Kenya.

“We travelled using official means, and we were checked in by the immigration team at the Kenyan border. We thought that it would be better for this training to take place in a better environment, and through our contacts, we managed to secure that place in Kisumu,” he narrated.

He also added that the basis of their arrest is still unclear, but they await the police reports and investigations.

“We were arrested on the night of July 23, 2024, on gunpoint by unrecognizable men in masks. We were loaded onto trucks that drove through out the night and arrived in Busia at 6 a.m. on July 24, 2024, where we were loaded on Uganda mini buses. We are not in control of our property up to now,” he added.

FDC Katonga planned for the leadership training to take place before the Delegates Conference that is slated to take place on August 8, 2024, where party leaders will be chosen and given leadership roles.

The arrested are to be handed over to the Uganda Police Force for further investigations into the matter.