Kampala — THE UPDF have shot dead a Congolese soldier and injured another after they allegedly raped two teenage Ugandan girls in Kanungu district. Lt. Kiconco Tabaro, 2nd Division spokesman, said the incident occurred at Kasenyi Nyondo hills in Kayonza sub-county.

Tabaro, who was addressing reporeters on Friday in his office in Mbarara town, said the Congolese soldiers last week crossed from Buramba unit and violated the girls in a garden where they were uprooting sweet potatoes.

He said soldiers from the 69th battalion, who were patrolling nearby heard an alarm from the girls and swung into action, killing the soldier and recovered his gun with 59 bullets.

Tabaro said the accomplice fled back into DR Congo with chest injuries.

"Maj. Jozzy Kanku, the commanding officer of the 63rd battalion of FARDC (Congolese army) confirmed that one of his soldiers is critically ill and is admitted in Nyamirima Hospital in DRC," he said.

Tabaro said the girls had been taken to Bwindi Health Centre for examination.

He said the army was on high alert and asked residents living near the border to maintain the highest level of watchfulness to avoid such incidents in future.

Lawless elements from DR Congo have caused mayhem the border, bringing misery to residents.

They routinely sneek into the Ugandan side and loot property.