The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has tasked the government to furnish Parliament with a comprehensive report on its foreign mission to deploy Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in the DRC.
UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (French: Forces Armées de la République Rémocratique du Congo -FARDC) have teamed up to demolish rebel bases in the DRC.
The armed forces are reportedly targeting the Allied Democratic Forces -ADF rebel positions in Watalinga Chiefdom of Beni Territory, North Kivu province.
Anita’s statement follows issues raised by Mps in parliament to give a detailed explanation on the deployment.
A section of opposition legislators in Parliament tasked the government reveal why the UPDF was deployed in DR Congo without Parliament’s approval.
Led by Mityana Municipality legislator Francis Zaake, Francis Mwijukye of Buhweju, Dr. Timoth Batuwa of Jinja City South West and Gilbert Oulanya of Kilak South who said government had not followed the right procedure before deploying Uganda’s forces outside the country.
Also Hon Jonathan Ebwalu Mp Soroti West Division inquired about the presence of the UPDF in Somalia saying since Parliament approved deployment of the UPDF there in 2007,great strides have been made towards regional stability .
“Today, Somalia has made remarkable improvement and gains as far as its political stability is concerned,” he noted.
Ebwalu held that the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs has failed to update Parliament concerning the continued stay of the UPDF and other security organs in Somalia.
The Deputy Speaker urged government to report to Parliament with an update on its external deployments so as to mitigate the security risks in the country.
In response, the Government Chief Whip, Hon Thomas Tayebwa, said that the government is addressing the issue of the ADF in DRC and the Security Ministry will update Parliament on the deployment of the UPDF.
He also promised to have the Security Minister report to Parliament with a brief on security matters in the country.
The Ugandan contingent remains the largest force in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) stationed to quell the political insurgency that is believed to be orchestrated by the Al-Shabaab militant and terrorist group.
Until now, Uganda has deployed 12 battle groups into the Mission area.
