Hoima missile fabricator wants to join army
Look here. Anatoli Kiiza is interested in making weapons. PHOTO BY FRANCIS MUGERWA
What you need to know:
- Mr Kiiza claimed to have researched on Internet how missiles are made in countries such as USA, China and North Korea.
- According to his mother, Ms Margret Biferamunda, Kiiza enrolled for education at Kitoba Primary School but dropped out of school before reaching P7.
Hoima. A 28-year-old man in Hoima, who is fabricating a device similar to a missile, wants to join the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Mr Anatoli Kiiza, a resident of Kiryangobe village in Kitoba Sub-county, told Daily Monitor that he wants to join a department in the army charged with manufacturing arms.
“When I first developed the idea, I wanted to operate independently but I have since realised that I can get more support and materials if I am part of the army,” Mr Kiiza said on Monday.
The army has expressed willingness to support him. The UPDF spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said innovation for promotion of peace and stability was welcome.
“Through our office, we can look at what he is doing and support his work,” Lt Col Ankunda told Daily Monitor.
He said Mr Kiiza could go to UPDF offices where he can be guided to the relevant department.
Last week, Mr Kiiza asked government to authorise him to test his locally-made missile.
Mr Kiiza previously made attempts to fabricate a machine similar to a missile in June 2012 but police arrested him.
After undergoing numerous interrogations, he was released without being prosecuted
Mr Kiiza said despite being arrested seven times since 2012, he has never abandoned his weapon-making ambitions.
“I am patriotic. I wish to make a significant contribution to Uganda’s security through manufacturing weapons,” he said.
Mr Kiiza claimed to have researched on Internet how missiles are made in countries such as USA, China and North Korea.
He claims that Uganda can save money which it spends on buying weapons if innovative people like him are supported to manufacture weapons, adding that it should create an enabling environment for him to showcase his indigenous skills.
Mr Kiiza said his love for weapons manufacturing can be traced to his childhood when he assembled a homemade bomb which exploded and injured his right leg.
According to his mother, Ms Margret Biferamunda, Kiiza enrolled for education at Kitoba Primary School but dropped out of school before reaching P7.
However, Mr Kiiza claims he completed Senior Six at Nyamitanga SS in 2009.
