Armies to resume joint operations

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) are to resume joint operations along their common border to curb insecurity caused by the Interahamwe militia based in the DRC, the semi-official ‘New Vision’ newspaper reported in Uganda on Saturday. The border troop commanders of the two countries made the decision on 12 June at a meeting held at Katuna border crossing in Kabale District, southwestern Uganda. The UPDF and RPA also agreed to hold monthly meetings to resolve any differences that might arise during the joint operations, the report added. Clashes have taken place almost daily over the past two weeks between rebels of the Interahamwe and Rwandan security forces in areas bordering the Congo, the BBC reported on Sunday. “Uganda and the Republic of Rwanda share a common task to stabilise the security of their nations and their citizens. We have to work together if we are to achieve this goal,” the ‘New Vision’ quoted UPDF Lt-Col Tumusiime Nyakaitana as saying. “We are brothers. We have no ill intention to fight with Rwanda,” Nyakaitana said. Lt-Col Mubarak Muganga of Rwanda said the Kigali government was ready to restore a working relationship with Uganda. Relations between the two armies deteriorated following clashes in the eastern DRC city of Kisangani in 1999 and last year.