Nyakairima (right) welcomes Etumba with a hug at Margherita Hotel before the talks

By John B. Thawite

UGANDA and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) security chiefs have resolved to resume cross-border patrols to stem any possible rebel activities. They made the resolution during a security meeting at Hotel Margherita in Kasese town on Monday.

The officials agreed to reactivate the liaison offices along the border. The Uganda Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and his Congolese counterpart, Gen. Didier Etumba, signed the protocol.

Uganda will revamp her liaison offices from Kisoro in the southwest to Arua in the northwest, according to a joint statement. The meeting noted that most of the LRA rebels led by Joseph Kony were hiding in the Central African Republic. It was also noted that Congo was more affected by the LRA than Uganda.

Nyakairima said the meeting was convened to chart new strategies of eliminating the LRA and other rebels from the DRC. Briefing journalists after the meeting, Nyakairima said the LRA capacity had been reduced from about 500 guns to less than 300, but that the rebels were not yet defeated.

“But the LRA will never set foot on Ugandan soil again,” Nyakairima said. “We have reports that the Allied Democratic Front rebels are regrouping and training. We know and we are alert,” he warned.

The military bosses will meet again in Kinshasa, DRC on December 1.