POLICE in Uganda are actively investigating allegations by the UPC presidential aspirant, Dr.lara Otunnu, who is reported as having said that President Yoweri Museveni financed the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency.

Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said Otunnu, who took over the leadership of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) recently, stated that rebellion was a brainchild of the Government.

“He said it was a ploy by the President to keep the northern part of the country backward, the government-owned NEWVISION reported today. He told residents that the President formed the Lord’s Resistance Army,” Nabakooba said yesterday.

Otunnu, a former UN diplomat, reportedly accused Museveni of confining people into camps and sending funds to Kony when he fled to Garamba National Park in Congo.

Otunnu reportedly made the remarks in Lira on Monday. Nabakooba said Otunnu had to substantiate his claims.

A team of detectives was yesterday dispatched to Lira to gather evidence before Otunnu meets with them to give his side of the story.

Otunnu, who has for years criticised the Government, yesterday said the Police had not approached him.

“I am unaware of the investigation. I can’t comment until I receive something,” he said by phone.

Otunnu told The New Vision that he had planned a big meeting at Lira Technical College on Monday where party and opinion leaders from Lango region were to converge.

“We were there and made the booking and all the arrangements. However, the resident district commissioner went to a radio station and announced that we would not be allowed to meet there,” he said.

“Indeed when we got there, the principal was not there and the hall had no seats. However, we insisted and had the meeting.”

Asked whether he made any comments about the President, he replied: “I said many things. I cannot begin to go over whatever I said.” On the meeting with the Police, he said: “I don’t want to speculate because it is hypothetical now. I have not been approached by the Police.”

As the Police proceeded to Lira, Otunnu drove to Kampala to attend celebrations to mark Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s 55th birthday.

Otunnu, who recently returned to Uganda after years of exile, has accused President Museveni of denying him a Ugandan passport, which he got late last year.

He also alleged that the Government was responsible for mass killings in Luwero during the 1980s.

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