Aruu MP Queries ‘Massing UPDF’

By John KakandeARUU county MP Samuel Otto Odonga has queried the heavy deployment of UPDF troops in his constituency, saying it has caused panic that Uganda is gearing for war with the Sudan.Odonga told a press conference at the Parliament’s south committee room yesterday that he is alarmed by the number of troops undergoing training and carrying heavy weapons at the former Aswa Ranch.“The nature of equipment I saw is so alarming,” he said, adding that there was fear and speculation that Ugandan troops were poised to strike the Sudan. He said about 15 battalions are involved.A senior UPDF officer from the 4th Division confirmed the presence of the troops in Aswa but said they were only undergoing yearly “routine training.” He described MP Odonga as an alarmist.“We have no problem with (President) Bashir at the moment,” said the officer. He said relations between the two countries had greatly improved and that there would be no reason for Uganda to attack the Sudan.He said it was wrong for the MP to address a press conference in Kampala when he could have easily got the information from the army in Gulu.Ends