Uganda in talks with UN over CAR troops, lines up 800 more

Kampala is campaigning to head UN mission, pointing out it has combat experience in the troubled Central African Republic. TEA Graphic 

By BARBARA AMONG Special Correspondent

In Summary

• According to the army, Uganda would still remain focused on fighting and looking for LRA rebels, in addition to helping the UN mission to stabilise CAR.
• Uganda is also campaigning to head the mission, pointing out that it has the combat experience in CAR.
• Kampala is waiting for a final decision from the UN following several discussions held with Uganda.

Kampala is in final discussions with the United Nations to have its troops in the Central African Republic co-opted into the UN force by September, with an additional 800 soldiers ready for dispatch, officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the army said.

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Edward Katumba Wamala said deploying the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces in CAR under the UN would reduce the expenses Uganda is incurring to maintain its troops hunting down the Lord’s Resistance Army there. 

According to the army, Uganda would still remain focused on fighting and looking for LRA rebels, in addition to helping the UN mission to stabilise CAR.

“UPDF has been there even without the UN hat. The UN hat would possibly bring easier logistical support, which would enable us do our operation faster,” said Gen Wamala.

Uganda is also campaigning to head the mission, pointing out that it has the combat experience in CAR.

“Our troops already have an edge over most of the troops there because they have been there for years and know the terrain and operational challenges on the ground. We have already participated, though not directly under the UN, in peacekeeping when the Muslim and Christian communities were attacking each other in Obo. Helping and working with the people of CAR is not a problem, we have already done it anyway.”

In April, the UN Security Council approved deployment of an expanded peacekeeping force of 11,800 to replace the 6,500 African peacekeeping forces and about 2,000 French troops that have been operating in CAR. The European Union is also planning to deploy up to 1,000 troops.

READ: Funding delays UN deployment to South Sudan, CAR

Starting September 15, the force will initially comprise up to 10,000 military personnel, 240 military observers, 200 staff officers and 1,800 police personnel, according to the UN.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Fred Opolot said Kampala is only waiting for a final decision from the UN following several discussions held with Uganda.

If approved, the planned deployment will see the Ugandan army now participating in combat operations and peacekeeping missions in four countries in the region.

Uganda is already participating in ending the war in CAR under the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises mechanism; it has about 400 soldiers pursuing LRA leader Joseph Kony and playing a part in maintaining peace in the country.

READ: Uganda ups game on rapid response to regional crises

Uganda is reducing its troops in Somalia and South Sudan, following pressure from the international community and regional countries to pull out from the latter country.

The CAR mission would absorb highly skilled combat ready soldiers who have been part of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.