14 April 2008
Kampala — Residents of Kisoro and Karambi sub-counties in Kasese recently clashed with Congolese soldiers, who had crossed into the district, reports Columbus Tusiime.
The residents accused the two soldiers of staging a roadblock and robbing people, who were coming from a nearby market.
When confronted, the duo shot in the air but one of them, Baru Kotu, was arrested by the crowd. The 24-year-old Congolese was saved from mob justice by intelligence officers.
His colleague escaped back to Congo. Kotu, who is admitted at Kagando Hospital, said he was attached to the Kasindi military detach in the eastern DR Congo province.
The incident prompted a UPDF team, headed by Maj. Jerome, the commandant of Rubiriha army detach, to meet their Congolese counterparts at Karambi sub-county.
The army regional spokesman, Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, said the Congolese military authorities were asked to discipline their soldiers and bar them from illegally crossing into Uganda.
He said cases of Congolese soldiers terrorising Ugandans on the border were increasing.
Tabaro warned that the army wouldbe forced to react harshly if the Congolese authorities failed to tame their officers.
"The UPDF emphasises integrity. None of our soldiers has crossed into Congo to torture their citizens, why should they harass Ugandans? If they fail to discipline their men, we shall have no option but deal sternly with the culprits," Tabaro said.
He added that Kotu would be handed over to the Congolese army authorities after medication.
"We hope his commanders will deal with him appropriately."
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