UGANDA: BLUE LANTERN RESPONSE ON LICENSE

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001772 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KMOC PGOV UG SUBJECT: UGANDA: BLUE LANTERN RESPONSE ON LICENSE 05-050071971 REF: STATE 154616 ¶1. Acting Permanent Secretary of Defense Rosetta Byengoma and Joint Chief of Staff Brigadier General Robert Rusoke confirmed to PolOff on November 15 that the reftel firearms would be used by the Ugandan military for security during the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in Kampala (November 23-25). Rusoke said that a special task force of about 10,000 UPDF soldiers would be assembled for CHOGM, adding that the 500 pistols would go to those most directly involved in security for dignitaries. He explained that the weapons would be safely stored in accordance with UPDF guidelines following CHOGM. Beyengoma stressed the importance of obtaining the firearms prior to the start of CHOGM, but admitted that the UPDF should have made the Embassy aware of its intent to purchase the weapons earlier. ¶2. Comment: Post believes that the UPDF will use the firearms for said purpose and make every attempt to store them appropriately following CHOGM. We are therefore supportive of its end-use license. While we are unable to provide specific information on rules of engagement training for the soldiers that are likely to use the firearms during CHOGM or afterwards, we consider the UPDF to be one of the more professional militaries in the region and remain suportive of CHOGM security precautions. End Comment. CHRITTON