Today an old friend called on me at office and we spent some time discussing several issues among, which was the state of affairs in the country at present especially the issue to do with corruption. They have been several and the latest as I type this is Uganda’s decision to withdraw from international missions.
In a press conference that took place at Uganda Media Centre yesterday, the Minister for Security Hon.Muruli Mukasa confirmed that government has sent a team to New York to inform the UN Security Council of Uganda’s intentions to withdraw its troops from Somalia and other peace keeping missions.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister and the Leader of Government Business also informed Parliament of Uganda’s intention to withdraw troops from foreign missions.
Uganda contributed the biggest number of troops to the UN peace keeping mission in Somalia. Other countries were Burundi and recently Kenya but for the rest it still remains a promise.
This decision could be because of the UN experts’ report leaked to Reuters accusing Uganda and Rwanda of aiding M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo.
Uganda came out strongly and denied these allegations and referred to them as ‘malicious’. In his remarks however, President Joseph Kabila of Dr Congo recently asked that Uganda comes out clearly and responds to the UN allegations.
Such misunderstandings according to the security minister could have contributed to Uganda’s decision to recall her troops from these missions.
Some Ugandans were opposed to Uganda’s mission in Somalia from the start albeit its achievements now. The opposition in parliament was up in arms and so many negative things were said against the mission.
Today, Uganda boasts of the partial peace that is enjoyed in Somalia. We have seen pictures of children playing in the streets and attending school which shows life is slowly returning to normal. The most recent achievement is the parliamentary and presidential elections that were carried out in the country. UPDF may have lost lives but there is something to show for it. Whether all this has been in vain is another question altogether.
Today social media was awash with comments on government’s decision to have the troops back. Most of the comments are in support of the decision.
Related stories
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20187369
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636994-uganda-to-quit-somalia.html
UPDF has made us proud! We have achieved remarkable success where US failed…..only the natives of Somalia will and can surely recognise all this. Uganda’s efforts should be recognised and appreciated. Before a UN report labels Uganda as a state that supports organisations such as M23, they should provide proof to back their claims rather than tainting our name probably for no genuine cause. We need people to Visit Uganda peacefully and believe that we are hospitable people….because that is who we are! UN should either substantiate their claims or back off!!
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