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****** Uganda: UN to Expand Entebbe Base ******
Henry Mukasa
9 August 2009
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Kampala — THE United Nations will expand its anchor operations at Entebbe army
base to make it its logistical launchpad for UN missions in Africa.
Uganda's permanent representative to the UN Security Council in New York, Dr.
Ruhakana Rugunda, announced on Friday that the expansion of the logistics hub
will commence next year.
Addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala, Rugunda explained that
the UN logistical services base has benefited peacekeeping missions in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur, South Sudan, Chad and Somalia.
He disclosed that a memorandum of understanding between the UNâ-àand the
Government would be signed to spell out the terms of the expanded use of the
base.
Rugunda, who chaired the UN Security Council in July, pointed out that during
his tenure, the council adopted five resolutions and five presidential
statements.
Some of the issues dealt with by the council included the situations in the
Congo, Somalia, Darfur - Sudan, Djibouti/ Eritrea, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Middle
East and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Commenting on the situation in the neighbouring Congo, Rugunda said: "The
council expressed grave concern over the renewed activity of illegal armed
groups and condemned the targeted attacks against civilians by the FDLR and the
LRA. It also expressed concern over reports of massive human rights violations,
widespread sexual violence and the continued recruitment of children in armed
conflict."
On the LRA, Rugunda said the council commended the Secretary General's Special
Envoy, former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, for his contribution to
the Juba peace process and called on the LRA to sign the final peace agreement.
He explained that Chissano's tenure as UN envoy had not been terminated.
"The talks between the Government and LRA were concluded, but Kony dodged
signing. So, it was decided that offices should not be kept open in Kampala for
Chissano when Kony is not contactable.
When Kony avails himself for signing, Chissano will fly in as UN envoy. His
services have not been terminated but suspended," Rugunda stated.
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