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Museveni Orders Arrest Of UPDF Officers In Congo
December 29, 1998
Kampala - President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the arrest and deportation of
UPDF officers conducting illegal business in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
military sources have said.
Museveni directed army Chief of Staff Brig. James Kazini, overseeing the UPDF operations in eastern Congo, to seize any merchandise of errant Ugandan army officers. Military sources said Museveni's directive followed allegations by opposition politicians that army officers deployed in Congo to check the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel infiltration were dealing in gold, timber and other goods.
The opposition argues that the army's involvement in illegal business has stalled the war against the rebels in western Uganda. "Actually Mzee (Museveni) was bitter about reports that our officers are engaged in illegal business. He instructed that those caught should be arrested, deported and their merchandise seized," a military source said at the weekend.
The source said, "In his communication to all the army units, the President said he will personally take action against any officer flouting the army regulations. He said, whether they are in Congo or any other foreign country, officers should comply with the military law."
Another source said Museveni urged the soldiers in Congo to maintain discipline so that they are not "misunderstood" by the Congolese population. Other sources said there was an influx of Ugandans in Congo.
The traders are said to be related to army officers, hence increasing the speculation that the officers were directly involved in the business.
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