Should Uganda troops stay in Somalia?
Jul 14, 2010
EDITOR—What was meant to be a World Cup final celebration turned into tragedy and tears in Kampala on July 11! Over 70 people perished and we are still counting. The fingers point at the al-Shabaab, the Somali Islamist militants.
EDITOR—What was meant to be a World Cup final celebration turned into tragedy and tears in Kampala on July 11! Over 70 people perished and we are still counting. The fingers point at the al-Shabaab, the Somali Islamist militants.
The attackers clearly targeted big crowds. The Police boss, Maj Gen Kale Kayihura is certain it is the al-Shabaab because of the threats they have been issuing. In October 2009, they threatened to strike Kampala and Bujumbura, in retaliation for rocket attacks by peacekeeping forces in which about 30 people died in Mogadishu.
“We shall make their people cry,†Sheikh Ali Mohamed Hussein, al Shabaab’s self-styled governor of Banadir region, said at the time! The US believes that the al-Shabaab has close links with the al-Qaeda.
However, the political elite in Uganda say that the terrorists lack the capacity to cause havoc in Kampala or Uganda. I think it is now time to retract this statement. How did bombs go off simultaneously at two different locations in Kampala with a strong Police and military presence?
That the terrorists were successful in executing such attacks is a clear signal we lack the capacity to contain such attacks from extremist groups. Through Lt Col Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF said they were aware of the extremists’ threat and were taking precautionary measures. Now the UPDF which has all along been aware could not diffuse the tragedy.
The work being done by both Burundi and Uganda in Somalia is commendable. However, it is time to reconsider our stand on Somalia. By insisting on staying in Somalia, Uganda has put itself in harm’s way.
Kakungulu-Mayambala
New York
EDITOR—I would like to extend my condolences to all those who lost their loved ones on July 11. While the al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for these deplorable acts of terrorism, Uganda’s opposition political leaders are not right to say that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) should leave Somalia. The UPDF’s presence in Somalia is in a spirit of Pan-Africanism that seeks to unite all Africans.
Why does Uganda believe in Pan-Africanism? Because in the past we have benefited from it. In April 1979, Idi Amin was ousted by a combined army of Tanzanian soldiers and the Uganda National Liberation Army. Secondly, Pan-Africanism was also displayed more recently in 2000 when the then Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo sent a peace-keeping force, assisted by the British Army to end the conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Therefore, in the same spirit of Pan-Africanism, it should not be considered strange that Uganda has chosen not to turn a blind eye to the plight of Somalis as seen by the many refugees who have already sought sanctuary in this country. President Museveni should not back down and the UPDF must remain in Somalia. Counter-terrorism is the antidote to terrorism.
Josepha Jabo
Uganda Media Centre
The attackers clearly targeted big crowds. The Police boss, Maj Gen Kale Kayihura is certain it is the al-Shabaab because of the threats they have been issuing. In October 2009, they threatened to strike Kampala and Bujumbura, in retaliation for rocket attacks by peacekeeping forces in which about 30 people died in Mogadishu.
“We shall make their people cry,†Sheikh Ali Mohamed Hussein, al Shabaab’s self-styled governor of Banadir region, said at the time! The US believes that the al-Shabaab has close links with the al-Qaeda.
However, the political elite in Uganda say that the terrorists lack the capacity to cause havoc in Kampala or Uganda. I think it is now time to retract this statement. How did bombs go off simultaneously at two different locations in Kampala with a strong Police and military presence?
That the terrorists were successful in executing such attacks is a clear signal we lack the capacity to contain such attacks from extremist groups. Through Lt Col Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF said they were aware of the extremists’ threat and were taking precautionary measures. Now the UPDF which has all along been aware could not diffuse the tragedy.
The work being done by both Burundi and Uganda in Somalia is commendable. However, it is time to reconsider our stand on Somalia. By insisting on staying in Somalia, Uganda has put itself in harm’s way.
Kakungulu-Mayambala
New York
EDITOR—I would like to extend my condolences to all those who lost their loved ones on July 11. While the al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for these deplorable acts of terrorism, Uganda’s opposition political leaders are not right to say that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) should leave Somalia. The UPDF’s presence in Somalia is in a spirit of Pan-Africanism that seeks to unite all Africans.
Why does Uganda believe in Pan-Africanism? Because in the past we have benefited from it. In April 1979, Idi Amin was ousted by a combined army of Tanzanian soldiers and the Uganda National Liberation Army. Secondly, Pan-Africanism was also displayed more recently in 2000 when the then Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo sent a peace-keeping force, assisted by the British Army to end the conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Therefore, in the same spirit of Pan-Africanism, it should not be considered strange that Uganda has chosen not to turn a blind eye to the plight of Somalis as seen by the many refugees who have already sought sanctuary in this country. President Museveni should not back down and the UPDF must remain in Somalia. Counter-terrorism is the antidote to terrorism.
Josepha Jabo
Uganda Media Centre