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Uganda: Country Vulnerable to Terrorism - U.S.
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The Monitor (Kampala)
2 May 2008
Posted to the web 2 May 2008
Kakaire A. Kirunda
Kampala
A US State Department report published on Wednesday indicates that Uganda is vulnerable to terrorism.
The annual report; Country Reports on Terrorism 2007, says; “Porous borders in a region rife with insecurity have left Uganda vulnerable to terrorist activity.”
Uganda’s borders with the DR Congo in the West, the Sudan (in the north) and Kenya in the east have always been known to be insecure and could easily be used by terrorist agents. Already, the government views the rebel Allied Democratic Forces that have been operating in the Rwenzori mountains (bordering DR Congo) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (in the north – bordering Sudan and Dr Congo) as terrorist organisations.
When contacted yesterday, the Defence and Army Spokesperson, Maj. Paddy Ankunda, acknowledged the threat.
“That is partly why we are in Somalia. We are aware of the problem and we have taken remedial measures,” he in a telephone interview.
However, the report notes that last year’s counter-terrorism activities by Ugandan security forces against the Allied Democratic Forces that saw over 60 rebels killed and about 20 captured was a significant effort in the fight against terrorism.It also notes that while the Ugandan government is a strong advocate for cross border solutions to persistent problems, resource limitations and corruption hampers its efforts.
But Maj. Ankunda said while lack of enough funds is affecting efforts to fight terrorism, the report authors did not do enough research on the accusation of corruption. “The [army] leadership is keen on this matter and is taking stern measures against anyone found indulging in the vice.”
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Meanwhile, a report from the Igad Capacity Building Programme against Terrorism (Icpat) indicates that Ugandan officials and experts are aware of what it will take for the country to strengthen its laws and legislation on terrorism. Igad - the Intergovernmental Authority on Development - brings together Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Through the provision of the counter-terrorism course run by Icpat, some members of the Uganda Police have upgraded their understanding of the threat of terrorism to the country, especially at this time when the country is engaged in peacekeeping in Somalia.
According to Icpat, field research will this year be carried out along the Djibouti-Ethiopia, and Kenya-Uganda borders to inform officials of the four countries on the state of border security and management. “The meetings would result into an agreement on what steps need to be carried out to better manage the borders, and to secure the necessary international support for initiatives decided upon,” a statement from Icpat reads.
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