Dr. Kiyonga urges Rwenzori residents to support army
Apr 05, 2007
DEFENCE minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has urged the people of the Rwenzori region to support the UPDF if it re-enters the DR Congo to pursue the Allied Defence Forces (ADF) rebels.
By John Thawite and Benard Masereka
DEFENCE minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has urged the people of the Rwenzori region to support the UPDF if it re-enters the DR Congo to pursue the Allied Defence Forces (ADF) rebels.
“If you hear that the UPDF wants to return to Congo, you should be the first to support us,†Kiyonga said on Monday.
He was speaking at a function to mark the Women’s Day celebrations at Rwenzori Square in Kasese town.
The function was jointly organised by Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Kamwenge and Bundibugyo districts.
Kiyonga, who is also the Bukonzo West MP, said rebels were regrouping in the eastern DR Congo after the UPDF withdrawal in 2000.
“When our army crossed to Congo, many people in the international community criticised us. Now we estimate that there are about 500 enemies of Uganda in Congo.
These include the ADF and PRA rebels,†he asserted.
He, however, assured the residents that the army was alert.
According to the 2nd Division spokesperson, Lt. Tabaro Kiconco, the army killed over 60 rebels recently.
Four others were killed over the weekend.
The ADF rebels have committed numerous crimes, like the massacre of 80 students of Kichwamba Technical Institute in 1997 and the massacre of about 60 civilians in Ndugute in Bundibugyo district.
The State Minister for General Duties, Adolf Mwesigye, commended the leaders in Rwenzori region for promoting unity.
“By holding such joint functions, the people of Rwenzori are beginning to re-discover themselves as one people,†he said.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, attended the function.
DEFENCE minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has urged the people of the Rwenzori region to support the UPDF if it re-enters the DR Congo to pursue the Allied Defence Forces (ADF) rebels.
“If you hear that the UPDF wants to return to Congo, you should be the first to support us,†Kiyonga said on Monday.
He was speaking at a function to mark the Women’s Day celebrations at Rwenzori Square in Kasese town.
The function was jointly organised by Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Kamwenge and Bundibugyo districts.
Kiyonga, who is also the Bukonzo West MP, said rebels were regrouping in the eastern DR Congo after the UPDF withdrawal in 2000.
“When our army crossed to Congo, many people in the international community criticised us. Now we estimate that there are about 500 enemies of Uganda in Congo.
These include the ADF and PRA rebels,†he asserted.
He, however, assured the residents that the army was alert.
According to the 2nd Division spokesperson, Lt. Tabaro Kiconco, the army killed over 60 rebels recently.
Four others were killed over the weekend.
The ADF rebels have committed numerous crimes, like the massacre of 80 students of Kichwamba Technical Institute in 1997 and the massacre of about 60 civilians in Ndugute in Bundibugyo district.
The State Minister for General Duties, Adolf Mwesigye, commended the leaders in Rwenzori region for promoting unity.
“By holding such joint functions, the people of Rwenzori are beginning to re-discover themselves as one people,†he said.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, attended the function.