Briton arrested in Uganda

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34129, 15 April 1976, Page 13

Briton arrested in Uganda

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) NAIROBI, April 14. A British ground engineer is under detention in Uganda, pending investigation into his activities in the country, according to a Government statement broadcast by Radio Uganda. Mr Thomas Webb, who works for East African Airways, was arrested last week at Entebbe Airport, where he has worked since 1963.

Kenyan press reports and an airline spokesman say that Mr Webb was apparently arrested for reading a Kenyan newspaper. Ail foreign newspapers are banned in Uganda. The radio statement from the Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs mentioned no specific charge. It said: “Even when further investigations are going on into his activities, there is already concrete evidence to warrant taking him to a court of law.” A British High Commission spokesman in Kampala, contacted by telephone, confirmed that Mr Webb, whose wife lives in Kenya, had been arrested, but he could give no details of the charge. The radio statement said that the authorities, during a search of Mr Webb’s home in Entebbe, found a firearm, some ammunition, and obscene pictures of Ugandan and European girls. President Amin, informed of the arrest, said that it should not be allowed to spoil the “excellent relationship between Britain and Uganda,” the radio added. Informed sources say that a British consular official has visited Mr Webb in Luzira Prison. Kampala, and that he is well.