Nairobi — Uganda has deployed troops along the border with Kenya to ensure that post-election unrest did not spill over to its territory.

However, this was not meant to back President Kibaki's Government. The deployment follows the fleeing of thousands of Kenyans into Uganda since Saturday.

Ugandan Army Spokesman, Major Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the deployment of the troops on Tuesday, saying "it is to forestall possible spill over of violence in Kenya".

He told The Standard on telephone: "The deployment is along our borderline, not to give any kind of military backing to President Kibaki. We are not mercenaries for anyone."

The unrest in Kenya has had devastating economic effects to the landlocked Great Lakes countries that depend on the port of Mombasa and various industries for supplies.

As a result, prices of goods have been skyrocketing. In Uganda, fuel prices have risen from USh2,400 (Sh100) to USh5,000 (Sh225). Most oil importing companies have reported that they have not replenished their stocks after their reservoirs dried up.

Mr Issa Sekito, the Kampala Traders Association Spokesman, told The Standard:

"Many traders from Southern Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are stranded as their merchandise was still in Mombasa or in various industries in Kenya."