Uganda Protests Bombing Of Its Territory By Dr Congo Chopper Pursuing M23 Rebels
KAMPALA, Nov 1 (BERNAMA-NNN-NEW VISION) — The Ugandan government has protested the bombing of Ugandan territory by a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army helicopter in pursuit of M23 rebels on Wednesday.
In a diplomatic protest note presented to the DRC Embassy here and the United Nations by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa,
Uganda protested the violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The same helicopter fired shots from a machine gun injuring four Ugandans of the village of Maziba in Kisoro. The victims, who were admitted at Mutolere hospital with severe injuries, included a driver with the office of the Ugandan prime minister.
During separate meetings at Foreign Ministry’s headquarters here Thursday, Kutesa said Uganda wanted a formal explanation from the DRC government and the UN on the circumstances surrounding the bombing of its territory.
Jean Pierre Masala, the Charge d’Affaires, represented at the DRC Embassy while Birgit Gerstenberg, the Country Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, led the UN team to the meeting with the foreign minister.
The protest note read: “The Government of the Republic of Uganda expresses deep concern over the unprovoked violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty by the combined forces of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the United Nations.
“A FARDC Puma military helicopter flying along the border fired one bomb at Maziba Trading Centre in Bunagana. The same helicopter fired shots from a machine gun which in total injured four Ugandans, on 30th October, 2013 at about 1630 hrs.
“Uganda protests in the strongest terms possible the violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as referenced above.
“In this regard, the Government of the Republic of Uganda will appreciate a formal explanation from the DRC Government and the United Nations on the circumstances surrounding the bombing of her territory.
“The Government of the Republic of Uganda has a duty and responsibility to protect its territory and her citizens, and therefore seeks assurances that such violations will not occur again.”
