Ugandan Militias Enter Kenya

Last night I recieved news that there were reports of Ugandan militia in or around Nyanza Province and Western Province. I waited utill I got confirmation from the ground. After several late night phone calls, I did confirm that Ugandan Forces were indeed within Kenyan borders. Just within the last hour Ugandan Army Spokesman, Major Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the deployment of the troops on Tuesday, saying “it is to forestall possible spill over of violence in Kenya”.

So Uganda’s position is that they have just beefed up security on the Border however civilian boots on the ground confirm that there are Ugandan militia operating within Kenya. Their Mission is unknown. I just wrote an email to Alfred Mutua, the government spokesman, asking him of his position on a foreign military operating in Kenya. Alfred am still waiting for your reply.

In the meantime, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been quoted as saying that “all this lies on Raila’s shoulder”. Mr.Museveni has never been particularly fond of Raila and there were discussions before the elections about the implications of a Raila win.

So if we do have Ugandan militia in Nyanza province, many of you might ask why? Well, here is a simple answer. Uganda is a landlocked country that relies heavily on the political stability of Kenya for imports and exports through the Mombasa Port on the Indian Ocean and is dependent on the the safe passage of goods through Kenya.The political instability has had devastating effects on Uganda’s economy. Uganda, fuel prices have risen from USh2,400 (Sh100) to USh5,000 (Sh225). Most oil importing companies have reported that they have not replenished their stocks after their reservoirs dried up. So there is motive as to why Uganda would get involved.

Uganda has
deployed troops along the border with Kenya to ensure that
post-election unrest did not spill over to its territory.

However, this was not meant to back President Kibaki's Government.
The deployment follows the fleeing of thousands of Kenyans into Uganda
since Saturday.

Ugandan Army Spokesman, Major Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the
deployment of the troops on Tuesday, saying "it is to forestall
possible spill over of violence in Kenya".

He told The Standard on telephone: "The deployment is along our
borderline, not to give any kind of military backing to President
Kibaki. We are not mercenaries for anyone."