Should Uganda attack al-Shabaab?
Jul 16, 2010
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said Uganda will declare war on whoever planted the Sunday night bombs that killed 74 people leaving over 50 injured.
By John Semakula
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said Uganda will declare war on whoever planted the Sunday night bombs that killed 74 people leaving over 50 injured.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, the army is ready. “We are only waiting for the results of the investigations to know who exactly did it. If it is al Shabaab, we shall fight them in Somalia. If it is ADF, we shall follow them wherever they will be.â€
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility. Their leader, Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, threatened more attacks in Uganda. “We shall do more as AMISOM (the peacekeeping force) continue massacring our people. I would like to tell people of Mogadishu that Shabaab mujahideen will take revenge on your enemy AMISOM and do the same thing they do to you,†he said in an audio tape issued on Wednesday.
Quoting Western intelligence operatives, the New York Times online reported that Museveni already has readied an invasion plan.
Without revealing the plan, Museveni said IGAD had agreed to raise the number of troops.
Kulayigye said: “Our philosophy is that we attack any person or country that attacks us.â€
The US promised to work with Uganda to bring the perpetrators to justice. White House spokesman Tommy Vietor announced that the US was prepared to provide any necessary assistance to Uganda.
President Barak Obama, US
Yes but on certain conditions. The Transitional government there is still getting its footing. If Al Shabaab takes more and more control within Somalia, it is going to be exporting more violence. They must be attacked but it has to be a multinational effort.
It is not something that Uganda or the United States or any other country should do alone, but rather the African Union, in its mission in Somalia, working with the Transitional Government. We have to stop Somalia from being a breeding ground for terrorism. (Interview with South African Broadcasting Corporation)
Sheikh Othman Alonga of the Saudi Cultural Centre
No, Uganda shouldn’t attack Somalia. The enemy is just a small group of people, not the entire country. We should only fight in self defense, if it is clear that a particular group is responsible. Attacking Somalia will make innocent Somali citizens suffer just as innocent Ugandans did. We were warned earlier by al Shabaab and now that we realize how dangerous the terrorists are, we should get our troops out of there.
Ken Lukyamuzi, Conservative Party
I don’t support the attack on Somalia. And if I were a Member of Parliament, I would move a motion demanding that out troops be withdrawn from Somalia.
There is no hope for Somalia to become governable and our sons and daughters in the UPDF who were sent there are dying for no reason. We have great challenges home which can keep us busy and safer than being involved in the Somalia war.
E.J. Hogendoorn, Horn of Africa analyst
Yes and No. If Uganda attacks, it should be in a robust way to give a very significant blow to al Shabaab’s military capacity. But if Uganda responds in an indiscriminate manner, it could actually galvanize a Somali response against AMISOM (African Union peacekeeping force) and play into the hands of al Shabaab. (His interview with The Times)
Abed Bwanika, People’s Development Party
No! We don’t have the capacity to sustain war because we are a poor nation. We need to learn lessons from the US; they invaded Iraq and Afghanistan to revenge on terrorists. aren’t they still losing people? We should instead strengthen our internal security organisations to avoid being attacked again.
Somali who declined to give name
I cannot comment on that because we are now living in fear. we have heard that several Somalis have been lynched in Kisenyi and giving you such information or letting you take our pictures is very risky.
Joseph Bossa, General Secretary UPC
Yes, we should hit back at the insurgents in Somalia but in partnership with other countries. But if we do it alone, UPC will not support it. Fighting terrorism is a matter of global concern and it should not be left to Uganda alone.
Ofwono Opondo Deputy Spokesperson of NRM
Yes, Now that al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the attack. Uganda has a right to retaliate when attacked. I therefore support Uganda going for them in Somalia, but under a new mandate from the one UPDF is implementing today.
Pastor Solomon Male of Arise for Christ Church
No, we shouldn’t attack Somalia because we are not sure they are the culprits. They may be claiming responsibility but it’s too early to conclude. Besides, if we attacked, how would we avoid killing innocent civilians? Wouldn’t we be like the terrorists? The Bible tells us to do the work of the Good Samaritan and that is exactly what Uganda has been doing in Somalia. We should go ahead with the peacekeeping mission and also request the international community to stop neglecting Somalia.
Andrew Sserugo, BodaBoda cyclist
Al Shabaab warned us earlier to withdraw our troops and we didn’t listen. They were right to do what they did because we started it. We have no business hitting back.
Daniel Semere, Eritrean businessman
We are not sure it was the al Shabaab behind the bombing.
Dr Ian Clarke, international Hospital Kampala
Uganda should not attack Somalia but go on with the peacekeeping mission. This is not a case of retaliation but of contributing to the African Union activities.
Col. Kizza Besigye, FDC president
No. I don’t see why we are involved in Somalia at all. We opposed the deployment of our troops in Somalia. What was happening in Somalia was a civil war that was complicated by the involvement of Ethiopian forces. Taking our troops meant making them part of the problem and not a solution. We need to be more considerate about how to manage our internal politics and international diplomacy to avoid being exposed to such attacks.
Mary Karooro Okurut, NRM Spokesperson
Not all Somalis are culpable for the terror attacks. So, invading Somalia should be out of the question. Somalis are our brothers and sisters, most of whom ran away from the same terror back home. It is the al Shabaab who should be held responsible or whoever the investigations currently going will point at.
Col. Felix Kulayigye, Army spokesman
Absolutely! If you attack Uganda and kill innocent Ugandans, you must pay. Whoever was behind the attack should be prepared for war in his country. You bring war to us, we return it to you. We are only waiting for the results of the investigations to know who exactly was behind the attack before war is taken to them. If it is al Shabaab, we shall fight them in Somalia. If it is ADF, we shall follow them wherever they will be. We shall invoke Article 51 of the African Union Charter, which allows us to attack any country in pursuit of those who attack us.
Abdillahi, International business student Kampala International University
No, Uganda shouldn’t retaliate or we will be doomed for massive destruction. When we hit, they will hit back and there will be no end to this war.
Bernard Tabaire, Lecturer, Makerere university
How sure are we that it was the Somali terrorists? No investigations have been made to point to Somalia. Yes they are claiming to responsibility but we are not sure it was them.
Saleh Kamba, chairman Parliament’s defence and internal affairs committee
Not yet. It is not necessary at the moment. The matter is before my committee to decide whether Parliament can endorse a review of the UPDF mandate in Somalia to attack the Al Shabaab. Once we are sure the terror was committed by al Shabaab, we may attack. But we should attack al Shabaab not Somalia. Till then we should not withdraw from Somalia.
David Opii Alira, General Secretary PPP
No. Our government only needs to strengthen internal security to be able to resist such attacks. Engaging Al-Shabaab in war will only put Ugandans at more risk. But we should keep our troops there and remain focused on the mandate that took us to Somalia .
Norbert Mao, DP president
No. Somalia has no government, so what kind of invasion would that be? Uganda should stop pretending that it is participating in a peace keeping mission, because it has only caught us up in a war. Where are the other African countries which were supposed to participate? Now that we are hosting the AU summit, we should tell them that if other countries continue to evade participation in Somalia, we will also pull out.
Nasser Mugoya, Businessman
No, if we hit back, they will do the same and the war will never end and more lives will be lost. We should simply withdraw our troops from Somalia to avoid any more bloodshed.
Juma Backfire Semakula, Kiboko squad chief
Yes, I support mzee 1,000 times to go and attack the al Shabaab in Somalia. Those militants should be stopped from coming to Uganda again and the only way that can happen is by sending the UPDF. They have shown that they want death and not peace. Let the UPDF go for them.
John Ndyomugenyi, Chairman UTODA
When the President, who is the commander-in-Chief, declares war it would be unfit for me to oppose him. Would you expect him to sit and watch as terrorists kill Ugandans? The work of the UPDF is to defend the country and they should be allowed to do it.
Major Sarah Patience Mpabwa, UPDF MP
No! Invading Somalia because of al Shabaab terrorists tantamounts to war on the state. Al shabaab does not control the state in Somalia. To say that we invade Somalia is a wrong principle.
Bishop Eria Paul Luzinda of Mukono
No! While I condemn terrorism, I also don’t support anything that causes loss of life. Nobody has the right to end a life of any human being apart from God.
Kibirige Mayanja, JEEMA
No! Such an attack or any involvement in Somalia’s conflict is not sustainable. There is no need to fight or send more troops to Somalia. We should instead withdraw our troops immediately. Big powers like America are withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan. The people of Somalia should provide a solution to their problems. As JEEMA, we do not support any kind of involvement of Uganda’s troops in Somalia.
Sylvia Namutebi (Mama Fina)
If attacking the Al Shabaab will bring peace to Uganda, I don’t have any problem with it. The Al Shabaab have attacked Uganda and innocent Ugandans for no reason. They should be punished. But Ugandans must be assured of security before the attack is implemented.
Daniella Amolo, Teacher, Clare Ellis Brown School
Uganda should not attack Somalia because if they do, we will have wars and more wars. Two wrongs do not make a right. Also, it’s the ordinary, innocent citizen who will suffer in the war.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said Uganda will declare war on whoever planted the Sunday night bombs that killed 74 people leaving over 50 injured.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, the army is ready. “We are only waiting for the results of the investigations to know who exactly did it. If it is al Shabaab, we shall fight them in Somalia. If it is ADF, we shall follow them wherever they will be.â€
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility. Their leader, Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, threatened more attacks in Uganda. “We shall do more as AMISOM (the peacekeeping force) continue massacring our people. I would like to tell people of Mogadishu that Shabaab mujahideen will take revenge on your enemy AMISOM and do the same thing they do to you,†he said in an audio tape issued on Wednesday.
Quoting Western intelligence operatives, the New York Times online reported that Museveni already has readied an invasion plan.
Without revealing the plan, Museveni said IGAD had agreed to raise the number of troops.
Kulayigye said: “Our philosophy is that we attack any person or country that attacks us.â€
The US promised to work with Uganda to bring the perpetrators to justice. White House spokesman Tommy Vietor announced that the US was prepared to provide any necessary assistance to Uganda.
President Barak Obama, US
Yes but on certain conditions. The Transitional government there is still getting its footing. If Al Shabaab takes more and more control within Somalia, it is going to be exporting more violence. They must be attacked but it has to be a multinational effort.
It is not something that Uganda or the United States or any other country should do alone, but rather the African Union, in its mission in Somalia, working with the Transitional Government. We have to stop Somalia from being a breeding ground for terrorism. (Interview with South African Broadcasting Corporation)
Sheikh Othman Alonga of the Saudi Cultural Centre
No, Uganda shouldn’t attack Somalia. The enemy is just a small group of people, not the entire country. We should only fight in self defense, if it is clear that a particular group is responsible. Attacking Somalia will make innocent Somali citizens suffer just as innocent Ugandans did. We were warned earlier by al Shabaab and now that we realize how dangerous the terrorists are, we should get our troops out of there.
Ken Lukyamuzi, Conservative Party
I don’t support the attack on Somalia. And if I were a Member of Parliament, I would move a motion demanding that out troops be withdrawn from Somalia.
There is no hope for Somalia to become governable and our sons and daughters in the UPDF who were sent there are dying for no reason. We have great challenges home which can keep us busy and safer than being involved in the Somalia war.
E.J. Hogendoorn, Horn of Africa analyst
Yes and No. If Uganda attacks, it should be in a robust way to give a very significant blow to al Shabaab’s military capacity. But if Uganda responds in an indiscriminate manner, it could actually galvanize a Somali response against AMISOM (African Union peacekeeping force) and play into the hands of al Shabaab. (His interview with The Times)
Abed Bwanika, People’s Development Party
No! We don’t have the capacity to sustain war because we are a poor nation. We need to learn lessons from the US; they invaded Iraq and Afghanistan to revenge on terrorists. aren’t they still losing people? We should instead strengthen our internal security organisations to avoid being attacked again.
Somali who declined to give name
I cannot comment on that because we are now living in fear. we have heard that several Somalis have been lynched in Kisenyi and giving you such information or letting you take our pictures is very risky.
Joseph Bossa, General Secretary UPC
Yes, we should hit back at the insurgents in Somalia but in partnership with other countries. But if we do it alone, UPC will not support it. Fighting terrorism is a matter of global concern and it should not be left to Uganda alone.
Ofwono Opondo Deputy Spokesperson of NRM
Yes, Now that al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the attack. Uganda has a right to retaliate when attacked. I therefore support Uganda going for them in Somalia, but under a new mandate from the one UPDF is implementing today.
Pastor Solomon Male of Arise for Christ Church
No, we shouldn’t attack Somalia because we are not sure they are the culprits. They may be claiming responsibility but it’s too early to conclude. Besides, if we attacked, how would we avoid killing innocent civilians? Wouldn’t we be like the terrorists? The Bible tells us to do the work of the Good Samaritan and that is exactly what Uganda has been doing in Somalia. We should go ahead with the peacekeeping mission and also request the international community to stop neglecting Somalia.
Andrew Sserugo, BodaBoda cyclist
Al Shabaab warned us earlier to withdraw our troops and we didn’t listen. They were right to do what they did because we started it. We have no business hitting back.
Daniel Semere, Eritrean businessman
We are not sure it was the al Shabaab behind the bombing.
Dr Ian Clarke, international Hospital Kampala
Uganda should not attack Somalia but go on with the peacekeeping mission. This is not a case of retaliation but of contributing to the African Union activities.
Col. Kizza Besigye, FDC president
No. I don’t see why we are involved in Somalia at all. We opposed the deployment of our troops in Somalia. What was happening in Somalia was a civil war that was complicated by the involvement of Ethiopian forces. Taking our troops meant making them part of the problem and not a solution. We need to be more considerate about how to manage our internal politics and international diplomacy to avoid being exposed to such attacks.
Mary Karooro Okurut, NRM Spokesperson
Not all Somalis are culpable for the terror attacks. So, invading Somalia should be out of the question. Somalis are our brothers and sisters, most of whom ran away from the same terror back home. It is the al Shabaab who should be held responsible or whoever the investigations currently going will point at.
Col. Felix Kulayigye, Army spokesman
Absolutely! If you attack Uganda and kill innocent Ugandans, you must pay. Whoever was behind the attack should be prepared for war in his country. You bring war to us, we return it to you. We are only waiting for the results of the investigations to know who exactly was behind the attack before war is taken to them. If it is al Shabaab, we shall fight them in Somalia. If it is ADF, we shall follow them wherever they will be. We shall invoke Article 51 of the African Union Charter, which allows us to attack any country in pursuit of those who attack us.
Abdillahi, International business student Kampala International University
No, Uganda shouldn’t retaliate or we will be doomed for massive destruction. When we hit, they will hit back and there will be no end to this war.
Bernard Tabaire, Lecturer, Makerere university
How sure are we that it was the Somali terrorists? No investigations have been made to point to Somalia. Yes they are claiming to responsibility but we are not sure it was them.
Saleh Kamba, chairman Parliament’s defence and internal affairs committee
Not yet. It is not necessary at the moment. The matter is before my committee to decide whether Parliament can endorse a review of the UPDF mandate in Somalia to attack the Al Shabaab. Once we are sure the terror was committed by al Shabaab, we may attack. But we should attack al Shabaab not Somalia. Till then we should not withdraw from Somalia.
David Opii Alira, General Secretary PPP
No. Our government only needs to strengthen internal security to be able to resist such attacks. Engaging Al-Shabaab in war will only put Ugandans at more risk. But we should keep our troops there and remain focused on the mandate that took us to Somalia .
Norbert Mao, DP president
No. Somalia has no government, so what kind of invasion would that be? Uganda should stop pretending that it is participating in a peace keeping mission, because it has only caught us up in a war. Where are the other African countries which were supposed to participate? Now that we are hosting the AU summit, we should tell them that if other countries continue to evade participation in Somalia, we will also pull out.
Nasser Mugoya, Businessman
No, if we hit back, they will do the same and the war will never end and more lives will be lost. We should simply withdraw our troops from Somalia to avoid any more bloodshed.
Juma Backfire Semakula, Kiboko squad chief
Yes, I support mzee 1,000 times to go and attack the al Shabaab in Somalia. Those militants should be stopped from coming to Uganda again and the only way that can happen is by sending the UPDF. They have shown that they want death and not peace. Let the UPDF go for them.
John Ndyomugenyi, Chairman UTODA
When the President, who is the commander-in-Chief, declares war it would be unfit for me to oppose him. Would you expect him to sit and watch as terrorists kill Ugandans? The work of the UPDF is to defend the country and they should be allowed to do it.
Major Sarah Patience Mpabwa, UPDF MP
No! Invading Somalia because of al Shabaab terrorists tantamounts to war on the state. Al shabaab does not control the state in Somalia. To say that we invade Somalia is a wrong principle.
Bishop Eria Paul Luzinda of Mukono
No! While I condemn terrorism, I also don’t support anything that causes loss of life. Nobody has the right to end a life of any human being apart from God.
Kibirige Mayanja, JEEMA
No! Such an attack or any involvement in Somalia’s conflict is not sustainable. There is no need to fight or send more troops to Somalia. We should instead withdraw our troops immediately. Big powers like America are withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan. The people of Somalia should provide a solution to their problems. As JEEMA, we do not support any kind of involvement of Uganda’s troops in Somalia.
Sylvia Namutebi (Mama Fina)
If attacking the Al Shabaab will bring peace to Uganda, I don’t have any problem with it. The Al Shabaab have attacked Uganda and innocent Ugandans for no reason. They should be punished. But Ugandans must be assured of security before the attack is implemented.
Daniella Amolo, Teacher, Clare Ellis Brown School
Uganda should not attack Somalia because if they do, we will have wars and more wars. Two wrongs do not make a right. Also, it’s the ordinary, innocent citizen who will suffer in the war.