KAMPALA, Uganda: When we wrote last, we broke off at the point where Thomas was calling from where he called Qatar yet he was in Nairobi. The Mzungu was asking Katwesigye to go to Arua to inspect the airfield there to see if it was suitable for a plane to land and pick cargo. We return to tell of how what had promised to be good deal, turned worse leading to the arrest of Katwesigye. Read on:
In February this year, Thomas called Katwesigye from the hotel in Munyonnyo to set up an appointment with him. The Mzungu went mute thereafter. Meantime, the whites had allegedly moved the 800 kilograms of gold from Nairobi into Uganda.
They were supposedly keeping it in a private house on Lubowa hill along Entebbe road. They were now bickering with the people who had helped them to sneak the gold into Uganda over non-payment of their fees. Having failed themselves to calm down the smugglers, Thomas summons Katwesigye to Munyonnyo. He breaks to the Ugandan the news of the arrival of the gold into Uganda. While Thomas agrees to take Katwesigye to Lubowa, he doesn’t allow him to access the house. They stop at the gate. The Whiteman explains they could not access the house because he had left the keys at the hotel.
From Lubowa, the group moves to Buziga. They meet people who Thomas introduces as the ones who had sneaked the gold into Uganda. Having spoken to the strangers, they drive back to the hotel ostensibly to look for money to clear the bill of the smugglers. Once at the hotel, Thomas advises Katwesigye to go home and wait for a call summoning him to witness the payment of the smugglers.
In the intervening days, the Whites invite Katwesigye to the hotel. They told him they had acquired all the legal documents they wanted to trade in gold in Uganda. Their lawyers of Musangala and Company advocates had even managed to register their own company in Age Uganda Limited. The lawyers had pulled off the feat in a space of only two weeks.
And it was only a matter of days before the Americans would be acquiring their Ugandan citizenship. Katwesigye was impressed. The topic then changes to Katwesigye’s contract. The Bazungu informs Katwesigye that his main job would be connecting them to the big people in government capable of backing as well as covering their transactions. Adding that they would meet soon and agree on how much Katwesigye would be paid.
A few days later, Thomas summons Katwesigye to the hotel. He informs him over the phone how he has finally secured the money to sort out the smugglers. Off they drive to Lubowa. A van is parking inside the gated house. Inside the van are eight boxes. Thomas introduces the strangers to Katwesigye. The strangers keep asking for their money. Thomas cools them down. He explains how his colleague Chad is working on the process of transferring the funds. The duo leaves Lubowa.
In a space of days, Thomas makes what would prove to be a fatal call to Katwesigye. As usual, he is calling from the hotel in Munyonnyo. He is summoning the Ugandan for an urgent meeting. Once at the hotel, Thomas tells Katwesigye how the money has been secured to pay off the smugglers only that Chad is being caught up in the jam.
Thomas advises Katwesigye to go back home and return when he calls him after the arrival of Chad. As he drives out, misfortune strikes. Katwesigye is met by a group of security men armed to the tooth. They immediately arrest and handcuff him. Thomas emerges from the hotel being chauffeured in a car. The cops drive Katwesigye to the house in Lubowa with Thomas following in tow. What followed next? Many questions with insufficient answers from both sides but we shall dig deep into them. Watch the space…