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Wednesday 21 May 2014

Uganda Denies Use Of Cluster Bombs In South Sudan Conflict

 Googe
Uganda’s military on Wednesday dismissed a UN report accusing it of using cluster bombs in the South Sudan town of Bor.

Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Edward Katumba-Wamala, told reporters in Kampala, as a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Uganda had banned the use of cluster munitions by its army, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
He said the UPDF was ready to cooperate with the African Union Commission of Inquiry, which was investigating war crimes in the South Sudan conflict.

“It’s not the first time for us to cooperate with the international community in an investigation.
“We provided escorts to some investigative staff who came to find out whether there was a massacre in Bor. We have nothing to hide,’’ Katumba said.

A report says evidence has been found of the use of cluster munitions in Bor, which is under UPDF and South Sudan government forces control.

The UN Mine Action Service found physical evidence of the use of cluster munitions in the Malek area, approximately 16km south of Bor,’’ the May 8 report says.

Cluster munitions, which can be fired in various ways, explode in the air, with each cluster releasing about 150 bomblets over a wide area.

It is banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions because of its potential to cause indiscriminate damage over a wide area and leave many unexploded bomblets on the ground.

Approximately 20 per cent of the bomblets fail to explode, presenting a risk for years after.
While Uganda has signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, South Sudan is not a party to it.

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