South Sudanese rebels loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar have denied claims that a renowned Lira street preacher, Jorom Opio, has been mobilizing and recruiting Ugandan youth for them.
The rebels’ deputy military spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday their group does not know or have anyone called Jorom Opio in its ranks or file.
“Besides the SPLA IO does not recruit foreigners nor does it operate abroad. The South Sudanese who joined the SPL- IO do so voluntarily to bring about reforms to South Sudan under the leadership of Dr Riek Machar. This requires personal sacrifice,” the statement reads in part.
Lam’s comes was reading to a Ugandan army commander, Brig Emmanuel Kanyesigye, who told Daily Monitor recently that the pastor was arrested from his home in Lira Town during a joint operation by the UPDF 4th Division intelligence unit and the Police Flying Squad on allegations of recruiting Ugandan youth into the SPLM-IO.