Friday, September 27, 2013

Hagel Discusses Security Issues With Uganda's President


American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2013 – Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met at the Pentagon Friday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to discuss a range of security issues including last week's terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting included Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Uganda's Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga.

After the meeting, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little issued a statement saying Hagel thanked Museveni for Uganda's leadership in the region and its commitment to the African Union Mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM.

"The secretary praised Ugandan forces for their efforts to defeat al-Shabaab, for which Congress recently approved more than $14 million in additional Section 1206 support. Secretary Hagel also praised Ugandan security forces for their efforts against the Lord's Resistance Army and its leader, Joseph Kony," Little said.

Approximately 100 U.S. personnel are currently deployed in Central Africa, where they are advising and assisting the Ugandan army in this effort.  Little said Hagel welcomed the progress that the Ugandan and other partner forces have achieved in reducing the threat posed by the LRA and expressed his hope that the mission would result in the elimination of the LRA threat to civilians and regional stability.

Secretary Hagel concluded the meeting by expressing his appreciation for the close relationship enjoyed by Uganda and the United States.

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