KAMPALA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan peacekeeping troops have embarked on demining and clearing unexploded ordnances in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) Contingent is clearing unexploded ordnances from several plantations, fields, and bushes within the villages of Mabenga in DRC's North Kivu Province, the UPDF said in a statement issued here late on Monday.
"The force has safely disposed of 18 pieces of assorted unexploded ordinances, ranging from rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, main battle tank bombs, anti-tank bombs, 82-millimeter recoilless bombs, bomb fuses, hand grenade and assorted live ammunition of assault rifle weapons," said the military.
Samuel Mawanda Lubega, the commanding officer of the 9th battalion, said the UPDF Contingent has the obligation of protecting civilians against the dangers of unexploded ordinances. "Some of the bombs were still functional and posed a great danger to human lives and animals if tampered with."
Julius Aine, EOD field engineering commander, said the community must be vigilant and careful when dealing with unknown materials because the bombs are deadly and can cause death once they explode.
Farmers from Mabenga also lauded the Ugandan contingent for the efforts toward removing the ordinances, according to the military statement.
In March, the Ugandan military deployed 1,000 troops for a regional peacekeeping mission in eastern DRC under the auspices of the East African Community Regional Force. ■