Uganda: 1,500 Troops Set for Somalia

New Vision

Els De Temmerman

Kampala

Thursday, January 25, 2007

The peacekeepers, whom he asserted are well-prepared and well-protected, will operate under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, meaning they are allowed to use force. The mission may include disarmament.

"We are ready to move any time," Katumba said in an exclusive interview with The New Vision yesterday.

"Of course, there are other issues that need to be ironed out, such as parliamentary approval." The UPDF will contribute one battalion battle group, comprising 1,500 troops, including two platoons of military Police, the general revealed.

"Their mandate will be to provide assistance to the transitional government to consolidate its authority over the whole territory, contribute towards international efforts to protect human rights and create suitable conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance. It may include disarmament to a limited extent."

Katumba explained that the peacekeeping force would operate under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. "They will be allowed to use force for self-defence, to defend the population and the transitional government."

Katumba stressed that UPDF had taken the necessary precautionary measures. "Force protection is very high on our agenda. Our soldiers will have bullet-proof jackets and helmets. They will also have infantry fighting vehicles that will protect them against small arms fire and shrapnel."

Katumba said the force had been adequately prepared for the mission. "They got a six-month training in combat drills and peace support drills. There was a training input from the British government and the French army. They were also sensitised on the Somali culture and habits."

Asked if Ugandan soldiers were aware that Somali girls could be stoned for sex out of marriage, Katumba said: "We have drilled our soldiers on all that. They have been properly warned and prepared. We even produced pocket books on how to communicate with the Somali people."

Confronted with criticism that UPDF is still needed in Uganda to deal with insecurity in the north and Karamoja, the general said there were enough troops on the ground. "It will not create a hole in our deployment. After all, we also suffer from the instability in Somalia. The guns in Karamoja come from Somalia. Disarming the Karimojong without tackling the source is like wiping water while the tap is still running."

Asked why he believed UPDF would do what the American army failed to do in the 1990s, Katumba said it was a matter of approach and circumstances. "It is like two boys trying to woo the same girl. One will succeed, the other will not. It is a matter of approach. Our approach will be more of a deterrent to the break-down of law and order and helping the Somalis to rebuild their own nation, as opposed to a coercive approach. Moreover, we are going in when a recognised Somali government is in place. That was different in the 90s, when the country was carved up into enclaves ruled by warlords."

Source: New Vision, Jan 25, 2007