Uganda denounces “false” accusations on Garang death

November 12, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Ugandan embassy in Khartoum has condemned “false” accusations by Sudanese former interior minister that Ugandan officials are involved in the tragic death of the late John Garand in chopper crash at the end of July 2005.

First Vice-President John Garang shakes hands with crew members as he boards an Ugandan helicopter at Entebbe International Airport on his way to meet Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni at his country home in Mbarara, western Uganda in July 29, 2005. (Reuters).

Aleu Ayieny Aleu, who is in the United States, told the Canada based New Sudan Vision that former Defence Minister Amama Mbabazi knows something about Garang’s death. He also insinuated that Ugandan Army had some interest in his death because Garang wasn’t cooperative in anti-LRA war in southern Sudan, he said.

The Ugandan Embassy registers “the concerns and dissatisfaction” of Kampala government at the continuous allegations and insinuations attributed to Aleu Ayieny, on the circumstances under which the Presidential choper crashed and killed Dr. John Garang in July 2005, the statement said.

The embassy reminded that the investigation team, of which he was a member, established that pilot error and poor weather conditions were responsible factors for the crash of the helicopter.

The minister Mbabazi and the Ugandan army spokesperson declined to comment Aleu’s statements.

Aleu also said that Garang made his fateful trip to ask the Uganda Government to return some military equipment to South Sudan. Aleu, “The reason why Garang went to Uganda was to claim our tanks we bought which came through Uganda.”

Describing Aleu accusation as false, inaccurate and irresponsible, the Ugandan embassy said “that at no time during the investigation, or even after, did the following allegations as raised by Mr Aleu, or any other allegations, ever come up.”

Since his death at the end of July 2005, rumors and allegations surface from time to time on the circumstances of helicopter crash. Accusations are addressed some times to the ruling National Congress party, to the Ugandan government and some times even to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.

(ST)

The following is the text of the press statement issued by the Ugandan Embassy in Khartoum.

The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda wishes to register the concerns and dissatisfaction of the Government of the Republic of Uganda at the continuous allegations and insinuations attributed to Mr. Aleu Ayieny Aleu, on the circumstances under which the Ugandan Presidential helicopter crashed and killed Dr. John Garang and other officials in July 2005, the latest of which was published in the New Sudan Vision on 31st October 2007 and 1st November 2007.

The Embassy therefore wishes to make the following clarification to the public.

1. Following the unfortunate helicopter crash, a joint investigation team comprising of officials from Uganda, Sudan and other international experts, was established to probe the accident. Mr. Aleu Ayieny Aleu was a member of this team. The team visited the crash site, examined the wreckage of the aircraft, interviewed relevant national and international experts and subjected the black box to technical examination by manufacturers of the aircraft and experts.

2. The team also visited the manufacturer of the aircraft, where it authenticated the history, service and performance record of the aircraft from the experts. No where in the investigations were questions and doubts raised about the technical aspects of the aircraft.

3. At the end of the investigation which examined the technical aspects of the aircraft and the environmental factors, the team established that pilot error and poor weather conditions were responsible factors for the crash of the helicopter. A report was presented to both Uganda and Sudan, and both governments have since respected the findings of the probe team.

4. It is important to stress that at no time during the investigation, or even after, did the following allegations as raised by Mr. Aleu, or any other allegations, ever come up;

a. That certain electronic and communications instruments in the aircraft were not functional or were tampered with;

b. That the helicopter which crashed was not the Presidential helicopter, but an ordinary Uganda People’s Defence Forces helicopter;

c. That bribery was used to curtail or compromise the work of the investigations team;

d. That the then Uganda Minister of Defence, personally knew who killed Dr. Garang and why.

5. On the contrary, all the above allegations are not only false, inaccurate and misleading, but are grossly irresponsible, especially coming from a Government Minister-designate who was also a member of the investigating team. The allegations therefore have no basis, and should be treated as such and with the contempt they deserve.

6. The aircraft in question was a VIP helicopter, maintained and serviced regularly, manned by professional well qualified and experienced crew and in good condition before the fateful accident.

7. The investigation team established that the helicopter crash was caused by a combination of pilot error and bad weather, the details of which are highlighted in the probe report.

8. In a normal investigation process, let alone a high profile one of this nature, the normal procedure is that should any member of the probe team not be satisfied with the process or the findings, he/she has a right to submit a minority report and put it on record, which can then be a basis for either fresh investigations or re-thinking the probe results. Mr. Aleu obviously knows this, but did not take this step. He instead opted to raise the allegations in the media more than one year after the probe team presented its findings. This is not only irresponsible, but portrays bad faith, ill motives and depicts dishonesty and lack of seriousness as a leader. If Mr. Aleu did not raise the allegations at the right time in the right forum, he should be best advised to shut up.

9. It may be instructive to note at this moment that the allegations raised by Mr. Aleu have not been supported by the authorities in the Republic of the Sudan, and therefore can be taken as personal views or the those of a section of individuals or enemies who are promoting them for their selfish interests.

10. The Government of the Republic of Uganda remains committed to strengthening existing cordial relations with the Republic of the Sudan, and will not be derailed by unsubstantiated and outrageous claims, which are clearly calculated to sow hatred and enmity between Uganda and Sudan. Mr. Aleu must be restrained and his motives must be found and exposed.

11th November 2007