Uganda, DR Congo meet over Kanungu shooting

Dec 24, 2007

THE Ugandan and DR Congo armies have held a meeting over an incident in which a Congolese soldier was shot dead and another injured after they allegedly raped two teenage girls in Kanungu district.

By Raymond Baguma

THE Ugandan and DR Congo armies have held a meeting over an incident in which a Congolese soldier was shot dead and another injured after they allegedly raped two teenage girls in Kanungu district.

The security officials met at Ishasha border post in Kinkizi, Kanungu district, on Friday.

The Congolese team was headed by Maj. Lynn Kirimunda, the commanding officer of the 63rd battalion, while the Ugandan contingent was led by Capt. Medi Kajubi, accompanied by other UPDF officers and local leaders.

Early last week, soldiers from the Buramba detach of 63rd Battalion entered Uganda and allegedly sexually assaulted girls harvesting potatoes.

UPDF soldiers of the 69th Battalion pursued

the assailants. The dead
soldier was identified as Sgt. Mumbere Rule.

The UPDF 2nd Division spokesman, Lt. Kiconco Tabaro, said the Congolese commanders regretted the incident, saying their men had committed a criminal offence and deserved punishment. The two armies set up a joint team to analyse criminal incidents that have occurred on the common border in Kanungu and Kisoro.

“The team will make recommendations to either militaries to enable the two parties to move smoothly towards the realisation and protection of human rights of individuals under our jurisdiction along the border,” Lt. Kiconco said.

This will also stimulate either party to administer disciplinary measures to perpetrators of criminality, especially Congolese armed men who have forced their way into Uganda to either rob, rape or kill,Tabaro added.

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