The opposition Forum for Democratic Change party has called upon government to pull out the Uganda People’s Defense Forces troops that are currently deployed in Somalia.
Over 1500 troops were sent to Somalia under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) as part of efforts to stabilize the war torn country. Ethiopia recently pulled out an estimated 2000 troops following threats by the militants called Al Shabab.
FDC spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu says that government has continued to put the lives of the UPDF soldiers in danger by continually exposing the soldiers to the militants. He says that the militants, in a recent media interview, declared war on Uganda and Burundi troops for their involvement in the peace keeping efforts of Somalia.
Oguttu’s comments follow reports that a UPDF cargo plane carrying soldiers and logistics to Somalia crashed early today at Entebbe. He says that the soldiers deaths would have been avoided if they had not deployed in the first place.
He explains that as long as the soldiers continue to be deployed in Somalia, their lives will continue to be in danger and more will die.
Government is planning to commit another estimated 1500 troops to Somalia by the end of 2009 to beef up security in the unstable country. Burundi has also pledged to send another contingent.