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.
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.
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.
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