Community Vigilance Thwarts Alleged Abduction Attempt on Ugandan MP

Tension rose in Arua City early Saturday morning when unidentified armed men reportedly surrounded the residence of Obongi County Member of Parliament, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo. The legislator described the incident as a deliberate attempt on his life by individuals claiming to be operatives from the UPDF 4th Division.

According to Mr. Fungaroo, the group arrived in civilian attire, utilizing a vehicle and a motorcycle. However, their presence raised suspicions, prompting concerned community members and local leaders to confront them. When pressed for identification and a clear mission statement, the individuals allegedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations.

“They failed to provide proper identification or an explanation for their mission,” Mr. Fungaroo stated, adding that the group quickly withdrew towards the city center after being challenged. He stressed the seriousness of the event, viewing it as a direct threat to his safety and that of his family, urging the public to remain vigilant.

Local leaders lauded the community’s swift action. Mr. Sabir Hassan Cucu, the LC I Chairperson for Ondoriku Cell where the incident occurred, praised the residents’ vigilance. He drew a parallel to the past assassination of former Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga, emphasizing the importance of community awareness to prevent similar tragedies.

Neighbors reported that the suspicious vehicle had been observed loitering near the MP’s home since midnight. One neighbor recounted an encounter where a man, later identified as part of the group, panicked and fled after being questioned and seeing a phone being raised.

Both the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF’s 4th Division headquarters have denied any knowledge of an operation targeting the MP. The West Nile region Police PRO, Josephine Angucia, stated the police were unaware of any planned arrest. Similarly, Capt. David Kamya Kiwanuka of the UPDF 4th Division cautioned that such individuals could be criminals posing as security agents.

This is not the first security concern raised by Mr. Fungaroo. In 2018, his home was surrounded by security forces following the contentious burial of MP Abiriga. The MP believes this latest incident is part of a pattern of intimidation against his person and other dissenting voices in Uganda, amid wider concerns about targeted operations against activists and opposition figures.

This report is sourced from the Daily Monitor.