{Government has protested the bombing of Ugandan territory by the DR Congo army helicopter on Wednesday, in pursuit of M23 rebels}.
In a diplomatic protest note presented to the DRC Embassy and the United Nations, by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, Uganda protested the violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The same helicopter fired shots from a machine gun injuring four Ugandans of Maziba village in Kisoro . Admitted at Mutolere hospital with severe injuries, the victims include a driver with the office of the prime minister.
During the separate meetings at ministry headquarters, Kutesa said that Uganda, will appreciate a formal explanation from the DRC Government and the United Nations on the circumstances surrounding the bombing of her territory. Mr. Jean Pierre Masala, Charge d’Affaires represented DRC Embassy while Ms. Birgit Gerstenberg, Country Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights led the UN team.
{{PROTEST NOTE IN FULL}}
The Government of the Republic of Uganda expresses deep concern over the unprovoked violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty by the combined forces of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations.
A FARDC Puma military helicopter flying along the border fired one bomb at Maziba Trading Centre in Bunagana. The same helicopter fired shots from a machine gun which in total injured four Ugandans, on 30th October, 2013 at about 1630 hrs.
Uganda protests in the strongest terms possible the violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as referenced above.
In this regard, the Government of the Republic of Uganda will appreciate a formal explanation from the DRC Government and the United Nations on the circumstances surrounding the bombing of her territory.
The Government of the Republic of Uganda has a duty and responsibility to protect its territory and her citizens, and therefore seeks assurances that such violations will not occur again.
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