MONUC Blue Helmet accidentally shoots Uganda soldier

MONUC Press Release Wed Dec. 31, 2008:

MONUC Blue Helmet accidentally shoots Uganda soldier

MONUC regrets to confirm that a soldier of the Ugandan People’s Defense Force (UPDF) was killed today at a forward operating base at Dungu when a MONUC soldier who was on duty accidently fired his machine gun, hitting the Ugandan soldier, who was passing in front of the MONUC soldier’s vehicle.

The Ugandan soldier, a member of the coalition forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda which are currently conducting operations against the LRA in the territory of Haut Uele, died of his wounds. The remains of the Ugandan soldier were immediately repatriated.

MONUC is deeply saddened by this incident and expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased soldier, as well as to the Government and people of Uganda. MONUC has immediately launched an official investigation of the incident in accordance with United Nations regulations.