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UPDF Demands Cash for Escort, Say NGOs

The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
July 13, 2005
Posted to the web July 13, 2005

By Grace Matsiko
Kampala
Non-Governmental Organisations operating in northern Uganda have accused some
UPDF commanders of soliciting bribes in exchange for military protection to the
NGOs during delivery of humanitarian relief to internally displaced people
(IDPs).
Two humanitarian agencies told the Daily Monitor yesterday that some officers
demand between Shs100, 000 to Shs500,000. They said the amount varies with the
distance the relief trucks have to cover and the number of military escorts
needed.
Following insecurity caused by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in the
north, the government decided that relief agencies travelling to the region be
granted military escorts to avoid attacks by the insurgents.
About 1.6 million people have been internally displaced from their villages and
are living in IDP camps in the north.
The complaints about bribery were made on Friday during a security meeting of
NGOs working in the north at the Northern Uganda Peace Initiative (NUPI) centre
in Gulu town.
The NGOs cited commanders under the UPDF 5th Division in Pader as the main
culprits.
The UPDF Northern Region Spokesman, Capt. Paddy Ankunda, said the army was
investigating the allegations.
"We (UPDF) don't accept any form of payment. There shouldn't be any form of
payment in kind or otherwise because we facilitate them (soldiers)," Capt.
Ankunda said. "It is hearsay, nonetheless we shall investigate and deal with it
if it is true," he added. He said NGOs are not required to give the soldiers
even dry rations, which they claim they used to give the army while on their
travels.
Military sources said the Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, yesterday
asked the UPDF 4th Division Commander, Col. Nathan Mugisha, and his 5th
Division counterpart, Col. George Etyang, to investigate the NGOs' claims.
Aronda reportedly said the bribery allegations were likely to tarnish the image
of the army, which is already grappling with accusations of corruption.

   

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