KAMPALA, July 24 (Xinhua) — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Friday that the East African country is ready to deploy all the required number of peacekeepers in volatile Somalia provided the African Union purchases the necessary military hardware.
Museveni told reporters here that Uganda has enough troops experienced in handling the type of insurgencies in Somalia.
“We can raise more numbers to help our brothers in Somalia to get peace. We have the manpower. What we need is equipment and money for the bigger numbers,” he said.
Uganda and Burundi under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have deployed a total of over 4,300 peacekeepers, half the number of troops needed.
Other African countries that pledged troops have not yet fulfilled their pledges.
Museveni said the Ugandan contingent has secured the country’s airport, seaport and is protecting the Somali Transitional Federal Government.
The Ugandan military requested mid in this month that the United Nations changes the mandate of AMISOM to a peace enforcement force so that it can dislodge militants who have increased attacks on the government.
It is estimated that 16,000 troops are needed to pacify the volatile country, which has been plagued by civil strife since the overthrow of military strongman Siad Barre in 1991.
Source: Xinhua
