Uganda to lead AU forces against LRA rebels

African Union forces in Somalia 

Uganda will lead the proposed 5,000 African Union (AU) forces that will fight the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Central African Republic and DR Congo, Press TV reports.

According to the report, Dick Olum, the commander of Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) military police, will command the AU force, which will comprise mostly of UPDF, South Sudan, Central African Republic and DR Congo forces. 

The UN regional office for Central African Republic said the force will be based at the current UPDF headquarters in Nzara, South Sudan. 

The UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said, “They are waiting for the AU to approve Olum’s appointment and designing the time table of when the Force would be deployed.” 

The four countries affected by the LRA agreed to form a force against the rebels. 

Uganda State Minister for Defense, Jeje Odong, welcomed the involvement of the international community to fight LRA rebels who have displaced and killed thousands in the four countries. 

“Our troops are already present in every site where LRA operates. In due course, we could possibly make their re-organization based on the stakes and needs,” he said. 

Uganda now commands two AU military campaigns out of three in Africa. AU mission in Somalia is also commanded by Uganda.