Uganda threatens military action over DR Congo repeated attacks

Uganda has threatened military action if Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) soldiers continue to attack its security forces along the shared border.

Henry Okello-Oryem, Uganda's minister of state for international affairs told an impromptu news conference on Monday that Uganda would not hesitate to use the principle of hot pursuit to protect its citizens and territory.

Uganda's reaction follows a weekend incident on Lake Albert where Congolese forces killed four Ugandan policemen who were on routine patrol. The Congolese troops moving on four boats on Saturday ambushed the Ugandan police officers killing them before fleeing with their bodies and confiscating the Uganda Police Force speed boat and guns.

Oryem said the Congolese charge d'affairs was on Monday summoned to Uganda's ministry of foreign affairs head office before being handed a protest note take to her superiors.

This is not the first time such an incident is occurring. The DR Congo troops in May 2013 arrested seven Ugandan policemen on patrol on Lake Albert and proceeded to detain them in Kinshasha for one year.

"We have put them on notice that a repeat of a similar incident may result in the Ugandan armed forces to repel such an incident in the interest of protecting our citizens and property," Oryem said.

He said Uganda has requested for the convening of an urgent meeting of the security chiefs of both countries.

Oryem said if there are any grievances, the DR Congo authorities must use the already agreed upon framework between the two countries to resolve the issue.

He said the bodies of the police officers must be repatriated and appropriate compensation to the bereaved families effected. Endit