23 repatriated after abduction by Myanmar rebels

A group of Ugandans abducted by the Myanmar rebels have today been repatriated home, after months of negotiations between the governments of Uganda and Myanmar to have them released.

A team of 23 arrived at Entebbe International Airport at 11am were received by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vincent Bagiire.

The Ugandan Ambassador to Malaysia, Ms Betty Bigombe, however reports there are still Ugandans held captive in various rebel camps in the restive South Asian country.

Amb Bigombe is said to have been vital in negotiating the release together with officials from the International Organisation for Migration.

"There are other Ugandans and non-Ugandans who are still there," she said.

The rebels are said to have asked for a ransom although the government says it did not pay a penny.

Mr Bagiire cautioned Ugandans who continue to be tricked by traffickers to rather stay home and develop their own country to avoid falling into such problems.

"Greener pastures are no longer green," he said, adding that those seeking employment abroad should learn from this experience.

Mr Bagiire, who says the country is still faced with the challenge of human trafficking, revealed that the government would investigate companies and individuals who were involved in hoodwinking Ugandans.

"We have the victims, they will tell us how they were moved and who moved them," Bagiire said.

These are said to have been trafficked in different groups with some arriving in September last year.

About 20 Ugandans are said to have remained in detention with the government yet to identify some of the camps where they are being held.

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand.