Kampala — AUTHORITIES from the north-eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo have called for stronger bilateral ties with Uganda in socio-economic and security matters.

Ambrose Butele, the Aru (in Congo) territorial administrator, said the two countries needed to cooperate to enforce security on the border.

"Uganda's enemy is Congo's enemy. This is the case with Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army rebel fighters, who we see as blood-thirsty enemies," Butele said.

Butele, who led a delegation of Aru territory leaders after an invitation by Arua resident district commissioner Ibrahim Abiriga, made the remarks during his address at the Independence day celebrations at Arua Police grounds.

At the same function, Arua LC5 chairman Richard Andama Ferua castigated Rubaga North MP Betty Kamya for taking her federalism campaign to West Nile.

Ferua said federalism was not a priority for West Nile, adding that there were more pressing issues like poverty and consolidating peace, which needed to be addressed first.

Kamya, who also attended the function, launched her federal drive in Arua town last week, promising to cover the entire region. She was, however, denied opportunity to address the gathering.

Abiriga commended the Congolese officials for responding to his invitation and pledged to strengthen collaboration at the local level. Abiriga called upon the people and organisations to work towards consolidation and achievement of unity.

He attributed the failure to achieve unity to lack of a common local language for communication and instruction at lower school levels. Abiriga cautioned the gathering against activities, which might be subversive and disrupt peace.

"The prevailing peace ushered in by NRM must be jealously guarded by all," he advised. The northern and West Nile regions for some years have been characterised by insecurity due to rebel activities by various groups such as the LRA.