South Sudanese ‘tycoon’ Lual Malong Jr goes missing

Police are investigating the circumstances under which a South Sudanese “tycoon”, known for splashing around US dollars, went missing

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire on Wednesday told the Daily Monitor that Mr Lual Malong Jr's family filed a report at Kabalagala Police Station.

HOTEL PICKUP

Mr Owoyesigyire said the family told police that they had not heard from Mr Malong Jr since November 14.

They said he was picked up from his hotel room in Kabalagala, a Kampala suburb, by people in military uniform, who arrived in two vehicles.                                                                   

“We are investigating the circumstances under which he was picked up. His brother reported [the matter] to police. I can confirm he is not in our custody," the spokesperson said.

He said police were liaising with other security agencies.

UPDF ACCUSED

Mr Malong’s disappearance was first reported on Wednesday by Juba-based Radio Tamazuj through its website.

The station quoted Mr Malong’s relative as saying, “(The) hotel 'guys' said Lual was picked up by UPDF soldiers who came in two vehicles but the UPDF has denied [the claim]."

The name of the hotel remains anonymous as both police and the family have not revealed it to the press.

“We do not know who abducted him from the hotel. What we know is that Lual has no problem with the government of Uganda. We are very concerned as his family members,” the relative told Radio Tamazuj.

Brigadier Richard Karemire, the spokesperson of the Uganda People's Defence Force, said the army was not holding Mr Malong.

“I have no information about that individual being held by the UPDF,” he said.