Somali Embassy Official On Spot For Donating Food Against Presidential Directive

BY OUR REPORTER

KAMPALA, UGANDA|SHIFTMEDIA| Security is hunting for a one Somali Embassy in Uganda official who was cited donating food to the urban Somali refugees in Kisenyi, something that is against the Presidents directive on food donation for COVID-19 emergency.

President Yoweri has sternly warned local leaders and politicians against giving out food items to people during the two-week lockdown.

The President said that much as it may be a good act, some politicians are simply taking advantage of the current delicate situation to play what he termed as “cheap politics”.
He noted that this exposes people to the danger of contracting the virus since they will be crowded and mixed up in one place, which is against the measures put in place to combat the spread of the virus.

He, therefore, warned that anyone caught not adhering to that will be charged with attempted murder, because that will be endangering the lives of the people.

“I direct police to arrest people who will be distributing food to people. That is looking for cheap popularity because you’re going to make people gather which is risky, you will be charged with attempted murder,” he said.

Our intelligence team has established that Jabril Said Afyare (below), a consul at the Somali Embassy in Kampala on Thursday distributed food items that included posho, beans, powdered milk, soap and other items to urban Somali refugees in Kasato zone in Kisenyi, a renown Kampala suburb, synonymous with huge Somali presence.

Our sources at Kasato Zone told this reporter that the food items were donated by Mandela Group of Companies.

When contacted for comment, Umar Mandela the chairman Mandela Group declined to comment.

officials attached to the State House Anti Corruption Unit under the auspices of Lt.Col Nakalema said the embassy staff would be apprehended. “We are not against supporting vulnerable people, but we need to keep in mind the presidential directive. The president is not against giving food, but when people gather, it becomes a risk,” said a senior detective attached to the State House Anti Corruption Unit.

The Ag Somali Ambassador to Uganda H.E Ali Mohammed revealed that he didn’t authorise any distribution of food to any vulnerable groups in Kisenyi.

Sources revealed that Jabril Said Afyare, has dual citizenship (American and Somali) and has very close ties with the United States.

Senior Somali Embassy officials said they were not aware of his motives.

During his continuos address on the COVID-19 pandemic, President Museveni has always advised those who may want to reach out to others to instead channel the items through the task force committee headed by the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.

“If you really want to help, then approach the task force team which is headed by the Prime Minister and Dr Jane Ruth Aceng. Give them the things, otherwise gathering people around you to play cheap politics is not allowed,” he said.