Authorities in Kitagwenda district are investigating a 27-year-old man who emerged from the shadows two weeks ago, claiming to have been abducted by Allied Democratic Forces Rebels nearly a decade ago.
Matsiko Farouk, a resident of Kafunda cell in Ibanda municipality Ibanda district, presented himself to authorities with a harrowing tale of his alleged kidnapping and subsequent training in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to Farouk’s account, in 2015, while venturing near River Nyamwamba in Kasese, he and five others were seized by ADF rebels. Forcibly dragged into the depths of the Kilembe highlands of Mt.Rwenzori, they were taken across the border into the DRC.
Farouk, painting a vivid picture of his ordeal, recounted the grueling training he endured under the rebels’ command. He described days of indoctrination, physical exertion, and the constant threat of violence.
The circumstances surrounding Farouk’s sudden reappearance after eight years have raised eyebrows among security officials. The RDC Kitagwenda district, Nicholas Kamukama Keine, expressed skepticism, stating that authorities are still investigating the veracity of Farouk’s claims.
“We are taking this matter very seriously,” Keine emphasized. “Farouk’s story is indeed concerning, and we are thoroughly examining every detail. However, until we have concrete evidence to support his claims, we must proceed with caution.”
Farouk has been in custody for three weeks, undergoing rigorous questioning and scrutiny. Intelligence officers are meticulously dissecting his narrative, searching for inconsistencies or contradictions that could shed light on his true identity and intentions.
The possibility that Farouk might be a member of the ADF posing as a former abductee is not off the table. Security officials are wary of the potential threat he could pose if his intentions are indeed sinister.
“We cannot afford to take any chances,” Keine asserted. “The ADF is a dangerous group, and we must be vigilant in protecting our communities from any potential infiltration.”