Uganda: Information on the Uganda Federal Democratic Alliance (UFEDA), its Status and any Potential Terrorist Activities in 1997-1998

Publisher	United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Author	Resource Information Center
Publication Date	22 July 1999
Citation / Document Symbol	UGA99001.RIC
Cite as	United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Uganda: Information on the Uganda Federal Democratic Alliance (UFEDA), its Status and any Potential Terrorist Activities in 1997-1998, 22 July 1999, UGA99001.RIC, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a6a118.html [accessed 21 May 2023]
Disclaimer	This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Query:

What is the status of the Uganda Federal Democratic Alliance (UFEDA), particularly in regard to any terrorist activities in 1997-1998?

Response:

The Uganda Federal Democratic Front (UFDF), the armed wing of the Uganda Federal Democratic Alliance (UFEDA, also identified as FEDA or UFDA), declared war against the Ugandan government in November 1996 (Xinhua 5 Nov. 1996). This rebel group, led by former Buganda minister Duncan Kafeero, supported the formation of a federal state and the autonomy of Uganda's monarchies (AFP 17 Nov. 1998).

There are no confirmed reports of terrorist attacks by UFEDA since November 1996, when the group claimed to have raided the Seeta police post in central Uganda. Nine gunmen carried out the attack, killing one policeman, wounding another, and stealing guns and communications equipment (Africa Network 15 Nov. 1996).

In September and October 1998, a crackdown on UFEDA by Ugandan security forces resulted in the seizure of papers detailing plans for additional raids on police posts. UFEDA leaders, including Evaristo Nyanzi, were arrested in the government sweep (New Vision 19 Oct. 1998).

In the last two years there has been a wave of bombings in Kampala, none of which have been directly connected to UFEDA. One article reports, however, that UFEDA has claimed responsibility for some bomb attacks (AFP 17 Sep. 1998).

In June 1999, a Ugandan security official reported that since 1997 there have been 28 urban terrorist incidents in Uganda, resulting in 55 deaths and 183 injuries. The minister blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and a new group, the Uganda Salvation Rescue Front (USRF), for many of the attacks (Monitor 17 June 1999). Uganda's Chief of Military Intelligence said that Duncan Kafeero and Evaristo Nyanzi are the "brains behind USRF" (Monitor 17 June 1999).

Experts on Uganda's political scene who were consulted for this research said that UFEDA is a small, relatively inactive group. A Department of State official confirmed that UFEDA is not on the Department's list of terrorist groups, but suggested that it has engaged in some terrorist activities. He said that UFEDA is "not a main-line rebel group" (USDOS 7 July 1999).

An instructor at the University of Chicago said that he had no first-hand evidence of UFEDA terrorist activity, although he added that "if Kafeero hasn't accomplished anything, it isn't for lack of trying" (Instructor of social sciences 7 July 1999).

According to a Dartmouth College professor of government, the UFEDA is one of many small rebel organizations in Uganda. "It has not had an active political life in Uganda,I would assume that this is a defunct group" (Professor of government 7 July 1999).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RIC within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Africa Network News Bulletin. 15 November 1996. "Kafeero Claims Seeta Raid." (WESTLAW)

Agence France-Presse (AFP) [Paris]. 17 September 1998. "Ugandan ex-minister arrested, linked with rebel activities." (WESTLAW)

Instructor in the social sciences, University of Chicago. 7 July 1999. Telephone interview.

Monitor [Kampala]. 17 June 1999. Andrew M. Mwenda. "Muruli, Tumukunde bust city bomb racket."

New Vision [Kampala]. 19 October 1998. "Rebel Papers Found in City." (WESTLAW)

Professor of government, Dartmouth College. 7 July 1999. Telephone interview.

U.S. Department of State (USDOS) Official [Washington, D.C.]. 7 July 1999. Office of Intelligence and Research: Africa. Telephone Interview.

Xinhua English Newswire. 5 November 1996. "New Rebel Group Declared War on Uganda Government. (WESTLAW)

Attachments

(Not available in electronic format)