Fighting erupts in Kisangani

Fighting between Ugandan and Rwandan forces broke out in the northern Congolese city of Kisangani on Monday morning, officials from both countries told IRIN. "The Ugandans started shelling us this morning, more details will come out later," Rwanda's Presidential advisor Theogene Rudasingwa told IRIN. Ugandan army spokesman, Major Pheneas Katirima, told IRIN that the Rwandan army started the fight after attacking a joint Ugandan army and United Nations observer convoy. "One of our vehicles, a Toyota Landcruiser, leading a convoy of our officers and MONUC people was shelled with an RPG... gun fire was directed towards our people who replied in self-defense," he said. Humanitarian sources in Kisangani told IRIN that fighting started at 10:00 a.m. local time after a Ugandan army jeep was hit by an RPG around Tshopo bridge. This was followed by UPDF (Uganda People's Defence Force) shelling on the city. The sources also told IRIN that the national electric company (SNEL) lost its only working turbine when the fighting started with the result that the town will be without electricity and water, possibly for quite a long period. Security sources in Kisangani told IRIN that by 4:00 p.m on Monday, the UPDF was entering Kisangani town centre with armed vehicles and tanks. "It is obvious that they are trying to retake the town and utilise the demilitarisation process to de-enclave their troops stuck at La forestiere and build a stronger position around Kapalata camp on the Rive droite Buta road," the source said. Figures of casualties or prisoners were not yet available, but security sources say senior Ugandan military officers and a number of Rwandan troops were taken prisoner.