Uganda dispatches new batch of peacekeepers to Darfur

August 4, 2009 (KAMPALA) – Ugandan government dispatched 114 policemen to replace some a team working within the UN African Union hybrid mission in Darfur since last year.

Judith Nabakooba, Uganda’s police spokesperson on Monday said the new group of peacekeepers had been deployed last week adding they would also serve for one year.

“If there is need for us to deploy more for the peacekeeping mission in Darfur, we are ready to do so,” she said.

Last year a Ugandan peacekeeper working in Darfur had been killed in North Darfur state by unknown assailants.

The police inspector was killed on May 28, 2008 in his UNAMID vehicle on the outskirts of Zam Zam. He had been shot three times in the neck, chest and stomach.

Uganda, which participates in several peacekeeping mission in Africa, Europ and Asia, hosts also a UNAMID liaison office opened earlier this year in Etntebbe.

According to an agreement signed on January 23, 2009 with Darfur peacekeeping mission, Uganda will facilitate the free, unhindered movement to Uganda of all personnel, as well as equipment, provisions supplies and other goods, which will be for the exclusive use of the UNAMID Liaison Office.

(ST)