UPDF came to prevent a genocide - S. Sudan

Kampala- The government of South Sudan has defended the deployment of UPDF in Juba, saying Uganda has the right to stop the conflict from degenerating into a genocide.

“Why is everyone focusing their attention on UPDF? Did the world want the situation to turn into complete genocide (before) any intervention?,” Mr Samuel Lominsuk, the South Sudan ambassador, said yesterday.

“In Africa, what happens in one man’ house must be a concern for all the neighbouring homes,” he added.

Mr Lominsuk said his government, that of DRC and Uganda have a military agreement that allows UPDF to enter South Sudan to hunt for LRA rebels led by Joseph Kony, “which prompted UPDF to intervene and defend Uganda’s borders.”

“Even though not fully operationalised, Uganda’s intervention was also justified under the Inter Government Authority of Development (IGAD). So, I think the condemnations are just nonsense,” the ambassador stated.

‘Machar, a man of violence’
President Museveni, while on a visit to Juba last week, warned Dr Machar to talk peace with President Kiir or face a joint force of IGAD countries.
The South Sudan envoy, during a media briefing at his embassy yesterday, described Dr Machar as “a man with a history of violence and has murdered several of his countrymen” to feather his “failed political ambitions.”

“There will be no preconditions at all agreed for a ceasefire,” he added.
On the demand that Juba releases political prisoners, the ambassador said three of the 12 ministers have been released but, “the remaining nine have corruption cases to answer.”

“They will go through the due legal processes as done in any democratic country and if found innocent will be released.”

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga is expected to appear today in Parliament to explain the country’s military presence in South Sudan without constitutional approval.

Internal Affairs minister Aronda Nyakayirima is also expected to appear separately to give a report about the increasing number of refugees, which the UNHCR has put at 23,546.

SOUTH SUDAN REFUGEES RELOCATED TO KIRYANDONGO

The Uganda Government is has started the process of resettling refugees from South Sudan who are fleeing fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar .

The refugees, numbering about 1,700, have been resettled in Kiryandongo District.

“It is true we have about 1,700 refugees from South Sudan. They have been resettled in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, the commissioner of refugees in the Prime Minister’s office, Mr David Kazungu, told the Daily Monitor yesterday in an interview.

Mr Kazungu said the refugees have received food aid from the World Food Programme and the government has offered them shelter and other necessities. Each refugee reportedly will be given a plot of land of about 30 by 50 metres.

Residents who witnessed the arrival said the refugees looked weak and tired as they disembarked from the trucks.

Meanwhile, the government has started relocating Congolese refugees from Bundibugyo District to Hoima District.

About 2,500 Congolese refugees, who fled renewed fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last month, have been in Bubukwanga Transit Centre in Bundibugyo. A convoy of about 300 refugees left Bundibugyo yesterday for Kyangwali refugee camp in Hoima district.
[Francis Mugerwa, Monitor]

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