Uganda threatens to pull peacekeepers from Somalia over UN Congo allegations

KAMPALA, Uganda – A spokesman for the Ugandan military says Uganda will withdraw peacekeeping troops from Somalia if the United Nations Security Council accepts the findings of experts who allege Uganda supports rebels in eastern Congo.

Army spokesman Col. Felix Kulayigye said Friday that the allegations of Uganda's complicity in the rebellion in Congo's North Kivu province were "propaganda" by those who want to spoil the country's reputation as a peacemaker. He did not elaborate, saying only that Uganda expects the U.N. Security Council to disregard the adverse findings. The report, leaked to the media last month, also accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels.

Uganda has more than 6,000 troops in Somalia, where they comprise the bulk of African forces helping local troops to fight Islamist rebels with links to al-Qaida.