A South Sudanese rebel official in Kampala has refuted claims that the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the closure of their principal office in Uganda. The allegations were circulating in social media on Tuesday.
David Otim, the head of rebels’ diplomatic mission in Kampala has dismissed the claims, accusing the Juba government of being behind the social media propaganda in order to tarnish their image with the Ugandan government.
“I have never received any order from H.E the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni neither any other official from the country. Our office is still operational as I speak with you now,” he said.
Otim described SPLM-IO’s diplomatic relations with Uganda as normal with usual communication and interactions saying they have no burning issue with either the top leadership or the people of the country.
He also said they are optimistic about restoration of peace in the country, while also renewing calls on Uganda to pull out their forces in South Sudan. He explained that their diplomatic presence in Uganda aims at building trust with the Ugandan government which entered the conflict after mistakenly believing that there was a coup attempt in Juba in December 2013.
According to the rebel official, they are coordinating with Ugandan authorities to build mutual understanding.