Kampala — PATRICK Otim, the journalist hitherto reported missing, is under military detention over allegations of involvement in attempts to start a new rebellion in northern Uganda.

The army spokesperson, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said in a statement on Friday that Otim, who works with Mega FM, was arrested along with others following intelligence reports and military operations. Six other people, he said, had been arrested earlier in March, in a training camp in Murchison Falls National Park.

"We have also found out that there are some politicians in Gulu trying to put into shape a new rebel organisation, as assistance to those in the diaspora," Kulayigye said.

The High Court in Kampala on Wednesday ordered the army and the Government to produce Otim on June 15. Otim's wife, Evelyn Atenyo, had gone to the court complaining that her husband was being held incommunicado in a military barracks.

She said that she was tipped off by someone that Otim was in Lira Barracks, but when she went there, she was not allowed to see him.

But Kulayigye said that there was no mystery about Otim because his file was with the Director of Public Prosecutions who was due to charge him in court.

"Every patriotic and well intentioned Ugandan should be proud of the peace in northern Uganda. While the economic activities taking place in the north have led to rapid economic growth in the region, some Ugandans here and abroad are annoyed and would wish to reverse these achievements," Kulayigye said.

"These individuals want to start another rebellion and indeed in September 2008, our intelligence unearthed a training camp in Murchison Falls National Park."

He said the army raided the camp and recovered one hand grenade, one army camouflage uniform, a sub-machine gun (SMG) and 10 rounds of ammunition.

After investigations, a man called Komakech was arrested in March 2009 and was found with a satellite phone with chargers, a global positioning system (GPS) and a solar panel, according to Kulayigye. A GPS is used to accurately triangulate positions by receiving data transmissions from multiple orbit satellites.

Kulayigye stated that in another operation in Latanya hills, Pader District in June, the army recovered 17 SMGs, 21 pairs of gumboots, five rolls of polythene sheets, two walkie-talkies with their solar charger, a laptop and a hand grenade.

Those arrested in the park have already appeared before the Magistrate's Court in Masindi, he noted, while those arrested in Gulu, including Otim, are due to appear in the court soon. "We shall always observe the human rights of individual Ugandans.

But we also have a fundamental duty to ensure peace and security for the people of this country. This may mean inconveniencing a few," Kulaigye stated.

He added that those arrested have been cooperative with the security officers involved in this operation.

"No one shall be allowed to tamper with the peace being enjoyed by our people in northern Uganda or anywhere else," Kulaigye concluded.