The UPDF has dismissed as untrue, a report by UN experts that alleged that the Ugandan army supports M23 rebels operating in Democratic Republic of Congo.
A report by UN experts released recently said M23 is supported by among others, Rwanda, and the UPDF and that the rebel group has committed serious violation of international law, including mass rape.
The group also accused Ugandan journalist, Andrew Mwenda of being an interlocutor for the rebel group as he helps the group wade off international sanctions.
However, in a statement on Monday, the Ugandan army blasted the UN experts report as being biased.
“Uganda needs peace in DRC more than those publishing unresearched, imbalanced and uncorroborated stories devoid of any iota of academic discipline worth to be called reports. No body asked anyone to hear our side of the story in this regard,” Col Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Defence Public Information Officer said.
The UPDF questioned the timing of the report and its accusations that they said come at a time when the Uganda army’s working relationship with the Congolese army against the ADF is at its best.
The Ugandan army noted that the is puzzling that the allegations also come at a time when the diplomatic ties between the two governments are at their best.
“We deployed in DRC under East African Community regional force not long ago in search for peace, we have a bilateral arrangement with DRC to fight ADF, we are putting up infrastructures and other peace related projects together with our brothers and sisters in Eastern DRC. It would be mad for us to destabilize the same area we are sacrificing to have it stable,” Col Akiiki said.
He noted that whereas the UPDF was not given chance to defend itself before the report was released, they are waiting for evidence making them culpable.
“Trust me it will never come like it has never been before. Such group of the so called “experts” should ask the real experts on Eastern DRC to help them make better reports instead of arms chair reports that misguide the world and continue to fuel conflicts.”
The development comes at a time when the joint operation between the UPDF and the Congolese army have registered successes in wiping out the ADF , especially from their hideouts inside DRC.
A number of rebel commanders and fighters have either being killed or captured alive while the remaining ones are currently on the run.
A number of abductees have been freed and other rejoined with their respective families.
