Defense minister Chrispus Kiyonga has been grilled by the
parliamentary committee on defense and internal affairs on allegations
that UPDF soldiers in Somalia are involved defiling Somali gals.
The committee noted that there are reports that Ugandan troops are
involved in human rights violations in addition to involving
themselves in sell of operation fuel, illegal trade and non-payment of
salaries to soldiers.
The minister admitted that, such a case has been reported where a UPDF
soldier allegedly defiled a Somali gal and he was deported and
currently under trail by court martial.
Kiyonga says the management of UPDF including in missions are always
looking out for cases of indiscipline and in the event of breach, are
handled according to the UPDF Act and code of conduct.
He adds that currently, there are 28 officers and men who are alleged
to have sold mission fuel and these were arrested and currently
undergoing trail in the court martial.
The minister however, said that defense ministry is not aware of
allegations of tax evasions by the troops in the mission, adding that
their allowances are remitted through government of Uganda and are tax
exempt as per the UN standards.
The committee also tasked Kiyonga to explain why mission soldiers are
not paid their salaries and allowances for six months, but the
minister denied this saying though there are delays in payment, this
has not gone beyond 2-3 months.