UGANDAN MILITARY CLASHES WITH CONGOLESE REBELS

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001756 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C FOR LEADER; AF FOR SWAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS ASEC PINS PHUM PGOV PREL CG UG SUBJECT: UGANDAN MILITARY CLASHES WITH CONGOLESE REBELS REF: KAMPALA 01696 and preceeding -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) A Congolese rebel associated with General Laurent Nkunda was killed during a gunfight with the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) in the southwestern district of Kisoro on November 11. In response, the GOU increased border security in the troubled area, and vowed to push forward with plans to bring peace and stability to eastern DRC. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies reported that thousands of Congolese fled fighting in eastern Congo and were settled in Kisoro. The presence of dissident groups in eastern DRC continues to be of great concern to the GOU. End Summary. -------------- UPDF Kills Armed Congolese Rebel -------------- ¶2. (SBU) UPDF Division Commander Brigadier General Hudson Mukasa confirmed to the DATT on November 13 reports of a November 11 clash between Congolese rebels and the UPDF's 17th Battalion near the Bunagana border post in Kisoro District. Mukasa said that Congolese General Laurent Nkunda's forces entered Uganda to raid neighboring villages for supplies, dismissing rumors spread by Nkunda of a deliberate provocation. One Congolese rebel was killed during the skirmish. The UPDF announced that it would launch a full investigation into the incident. -------------- -------------- Border Security Tightened; GOU Studies Plans For Peace -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) UPDF Second Division Spokesperson Lt. Kiconco Tabaro told EmbOff on November 13 that the situation along the border had returned to normal, but noted that the UPDF had taken appropriate security measures. Tabaro expressed frustration over previous incursions into Ugandan territory by Congolese rebels, recounting incidents of injury, murder, and theft in nearby villages. As a result, he explained, all Congolese nationals crossing over the land border would be subjected to security screening, and those found to be in Uganda illegally, detained. ¶4. (SBU) MFA East African Community and Ring States Office Director Julius Kagamba expressed GOU discontent over the incident to EmbOff on November 14. Kagamba said that the GOU plans to push for long-term peace and stability in eastern DRC as agreed upon at the September Tripartite meeting in Kampala. He was hopeful that the issue would be addressed more thoroughly after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) ends later this month. -------------- Thousands in Transit Center -------------- ¶5. (SBU) UNHCR reported that an estimated 12,832 Congolese nationals have registered at Nyakabande transit center in Kisoro District since October 19. Of these, 216 Congolese were relocated to Nakivale Refugee Camp. Humanitarian agencies, including the World Food Program and UNHCR, were involved in providing food and shelter. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) This was the first clash with Nkunda's Congolese rebels that the GOU has publicized. Other recent incursions as referred to by Lt. Tabaio, have involved other rebel militias, renegade FARDC, and the ADF/NALU. The government remains concerned over what they claim to be an increase in the number of clashes between UPDF forces and armed Congolese rebels, and its potential impact on public security in western Uganda. CHRITTON