UPDF Deploys In War-Torn Northeast DRC
Oct 16, 2002
THE Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has redeployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed fighting which threatens the border security.
By Felix Osike and Agencies
THE Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has redeployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed fighting which threatens the border security.
Roger Lumbala, head of the Uganda-backed Congolese Rally for Democracy-Nationale (RCD-N), told the French news agency AFP that a battalion had been deployed in Rwebisengo in the far northeast DRC near the Ugandan border.
State minister for regional cooperation Col. Kahinda Otafire defended the deployment as being in Uganda’s interest. “If there is a security threat, why shouldn’t we deploy?†he asked when AFP contacted him by telephone.
Army Spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza said the UPDF was not deploying a new battalion. “We are using part of the battalion in Bunia. We are supposed to take charge of the trouble in that area as per the UN request,†he said.
The UPDF withdrew 13 of the 14 battalions it had deployed in the DRC, leaving only 1,000 troops in the troubled northeastern town of Bunia at the request of the UN Observer Mission to DRC (MONUC) to stem clashes between ethnic groups there.
Ends
THE Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has redeployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed fighting which threatens the border security.
Roger Lumbala, head of the Uganda-backed Congolese Rally for Democracy-Nationale (RCD-N), told the French news agency AFP that a battalion had been deployed in Rwebisengo in the far northeast DRC near the Ugandan border.
State minister for regional cooperation Col. Kahinda Otafire defended the deployment as being in Uganda’s interest. “If there is a security threat, why shouldn’t we deploy?†he asked when AFP contacted him by telephone.
Army Spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza said the UPDF was not deploying a new battalion. “We are using part of the battalion in Bunia. We are supposed to take charge of the trouble in that area as per the UN request,†he said.
The UPDF withdrew 13 of the 14 battalions it had deployed in the DRC, leaving only 1,000 troops in the troubled northeastern town of Bunia at the request of the UN Observer Mission to DRC (MONUC) to stem clashes between ethnic groups there.
Ends