KAMPALA, Aug. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The Ugandan government has asked the Kenyan government to cooperate in searching of Sudanese First Vice President Lt. Gen. John Garang who was reportedly missing on Sunday night, according to a press release issued by the State House.

    The press release, which was issued on Sunday night, said, "the government of Uganda would like to inform the public of our anxiety regarding the safety of our brother, Dr. John Garang, the first vice president of the Sudanese interim government and president of southern Sudan. H. E. Dr. John Garang paid a visit to President Y. Museveni's home arriving at Rwakitura, Mbarara on July 29, 2005."

    Garang "spent the whole day discussing with his host, spent the night at Rwakitura and part of the following morning (July 30, 2005)," the press release said, adding Garang also briefly met with some representatives of the European Union and the United States ambassador to Uganda.

    According to the press release, Garang "left Rwakitura by presidential helicopter-M1-72 at around 1545 hours (1245 GMT) for his base at New Site in southern Sudan, just north of Kidepo National Park. Due to the need for topping up fuel, they stopped in Entebbe and left at five minutes before 1700 hours (1400 GMT)."

    "By 1830 hours (1530 GMT) the plane was over flying Karenga and Kapedo areas near Kidepo. It attempted to land in southern Sudan at a place known as New Cush but aborted landing because of bad weather and headed South West. It was overhead over Pirre towards the Kenyan border," it said.

    It said, "Since (Sunday) morning we have been searching the Kidepo area to locate the plane without success. The governments of Sudan and Kenya have been informed. We do share the anxiety with the public since it is now 24 hours beyond the estimated time of arrival of the plane at its destination."

    "The search is continuing and we have asked for the cooperation of the brother Republic of Kenya whose border is quite close. We shall keep you informed of developments," the press release concluded. Enditem