Kampala — PARLIAMENT has told the Government to explain reports of the emergence of a new rebel group in the country. The decision was prompted by concerns by legislators, especially those from the north and Teso regions, about media reports that six MPs and a chairperson in Acholi region face arrest over rebellion.

Charles Angiro (Independent), who raised the issue as a matter of national importance, observed that reports by a local tabloid and government officials on the existence of a new rebel group, the Uganda People's Front (UPF) had bred anxiety.

"Who are these MPs and the prominent chairman?" he asked as MPs sitting on the Government side shouted, "Ask Red Pepper."

Angiro asked the Government to explain whether the rebel training was in Masindi and Pader districts as reported. He warned that assertions that the rebels had their headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya had implications on regional co-operation.

Security minister Amama Mbabazi and the ministers of defence, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga and Maj. Gen. Jeje Odongo, were not in the House when the matter was raised. This prompted Kadaga to ask the Government Chief Whip, Daudi Migereko, to make a statement.

Migereko said that the concerned ministers would issue a statement to Parliament on Thursday. "Much as thugs were arrested in some areas, the NRM way of doing things is to investigate," Migereko said.

Hussein Kyanjo (JEEMA) said that the matter had taken diverse dimensions. He pointed out that on Wednesday local radio stations reported about the existence of rebels in Bukoto East and Bukoto Central, the constituencies of the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Sekandi (NRM) and ICT state minister, Alintuma Nsambu (NRM) respectively, in Masaka district.

Reagan Okumu (FDC) told the House that two months ago Gulu Woman MP Betty Ocan was blocked from addressing students of National Teachers' College Unyama in Aswa, on allegations that she was recruiting rebels.

Okumu said that soldiers acting on the orders of Gulu RDC Lt. Col. Walter Ochora stormed the college and stopped Ocan from addressing the students. He said the rebellion talk is not a Red Pepper creation but a ploy to frame the opposition.

"You will light a fire you will not extinguish this time, should you abuse the people of the north and their leaders," Okumu warned.

"If rebel groups exist, why do you go to newspapers and radio stations? Arrest the people involved. This is unbecoming," he added.

Alice Alaso (FDC) said rebellion talk had spread to Teso region and government officials, especially RDCs, were making pronouncements. She said Teso abandoned rebellion long ago and the region's MPs were the first to talk about the LRA invasion of the area in 2004 when the Government was silent. "We know how to use the ballot papers to express our anger when we are angry."