Hoima man wants government to clear his 'missile' test

Hoima.

A 28-year old man in Hoima District has asked the government to authorise him to test his locally made weapons.

Mr Anatoli Kiiza, a resident of Kiryangobe village in Kitoba Sub county claims that he has manufactured a missile which he can test if the government authorises him to do so.

“I have manufactured and upgraded a missile. I can also manufacture a rocket launcher,” he told a news conference in Hoima town on Thursday.

READ: Hoima ‘missile fabricator’ worried about his health

Kiiza previously made attempts to fabricate a machine similar to a missile in June 2012 but Police arrested him while he was fabricating what he described as a sub missile in a workshop in Kiryatete suburb in Hoima municipality. After undergoing interrogation, Kiiza was released without being prosecuted in the courts of law.

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He told the media that despite being arrested seven times since 2012, he has never abandoned his desire.

Kiiza claimed to have researched on the internet how missiles are made in countries like USA,China and North Korea.

He said he was in advanced stages of researching how to obtain a launch pad which could push the round-metallic device which has a cone-shaped head where he had already installed a cylinder.

He claims that Uganda can save money which it spends on buying weapons if innovative people like him are supported to manufacture weapons.

“I request government give me security and gazzete an area for me where I can stay for some days as I manufacture weapons from local items,” he said.

The government spokesperson Mr Ofwono Opondo said all innovators are encouraged to contact area respective authorities such as Chief Administrative Officers, Resident District Commissioners and district chairpersons and MPs who can then link them to the ministry in charge of innovation, science and technology.

“Depending on their assessments, the innovator can be appraised for support which can include linking them with research institutions and perhaps funding from the innovation fund,” Opondo said.

Detectives who declined to be quoted because they had not been authorised to talk to the media said Kiiza has for long been under close security watch. They said he formerly pursued a catering course in Mbarara and in 2008 he reportedly worked at a Kampala based NGO offering services for those with HIV.

He reportedly stopped working in February 2012 before returning to Hoima to trade in produce.
Kiiza told police that his love for weapons manufacturing can be traced in his childhood.

“While still a child, I assembled a homemade bomb and went to test it at a river. I exploded and injured my right leg. Villagers got concerned and reported me to the LCI. My mother cautioned me against making such dangerous materials,” he stated in his statement at Hoima police which is in file HMA/CRB/1583/12.

According to his mother, Ms Margret Biferamunda, Kiiza enrolled for education at Kitoba Primary School but dropped out. However, Kiiza claims to have completed senior six at Nyamitanga SS in 2009.