5 die, 75 injured in Uganda

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33706, 2 December 1974, Page 17

5 die, 75 injured in Uganda

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) LONDON, December 1.

President Idi Amin has announced that five people have been killed, and 75 injured, during an exercise to mechanise a battalion of the Ugandan Army.

Inaugurating the newlymechanised Simba (lion) Battalion, General Amin thanked the Soviet Union for sending its expert instructors to conduct training in Uganda. Radio Uganda, monitored in London, said that General Amin commended the troops’ "high standard of discipline, very important in such trainin', exercises. “The General expressed great concern about five people who lost their lives during the exercise, and the other 75 injured, five of them seriously.” The report did not elaborate.

He told the troops to be friendly to the public, so that they could always get useful information regarding the security of the country. He told them that all the battalion workers, even hospital staff, should be able to handle guns. “If we are attacked,” he said, “we shall win the battle,

as God will be on our side, because the Uganda Army will then have a cause to fight and defend the country.” The battalion’s acting commanding officer reported to the President that cooperation between Soviet experts and the Ugandan Army had been excellent; the Russians had learned the African languages, Swahili and Nyankole. General Amin has divided Uganda into five military commands for what an official announcement described as the purpose of mobilising the masses.

Five of the military members of the Government have been named to take charge of the commands and directed to wear airborne military uniforms.

On Friday, General Amin threatened to dismiss radio and television editors and newsreaders who present shortened versions of Government news items. He said that he had noticed many times that newscasters were reading only half of Government statements, yet the aim of the military Government was to educate people. President Amin has also announced that a national prayer, composed by soldiers, will be recited at the opening and closing of radio and television programmes. %