Arms tracking data shows why 17 African countries could have abstained in a UN vote to condemn the superpower Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an organisation that tracks arms trade, indicates that Russia was the largest supplier of …
Read More »Uganda buys Chinese arms for war on ADF
A partnership between the UPDF and one of China’s largest defence contractors could upset allies America Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | On Nov. 30, the Ugandan army alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Forces (FARDC) launched joint air and artillery strikes against camps of the Congo-based Uganda rebels …
Read More »Reformed rustlers flee for their lives after handing guns to army
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Karimojong ex-rustlers who voluntarily handed over their guns to the army and received certificates from the forces have abandoned their homes for fear of being attacked by armed rustlers who are accusing them of surrendering. Peter Apuun, one of those who handed over his gun …
Read More »FIREARMS: 82 Karimajong warriors sentenced
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The UPDF 3rd Division Court Martial has sentenced 82 Karamojong warriors to prison for Illegal possession of firearms. Col. Francis B. Bateraho, the 3rd Division Court Martial Chairperson delivered the sentences on Friday at Moroto Government Prison. The sentences ranged from 3- 10 years. …
Read More »African arms market to grow by 50 percent over five years: analyst
Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Africa’s arms market is likely to grow by 50 percent over the next five years, analyst Stephane Konan said at a four-day trade show in Ivory Coast. “The African market in defence represents only a drop of water in relation to the world market: 42.6 …
Read More »Putin rejects US claim Russia breaking arms treaty
Moscow, Russia | AFP | President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed US claims Russia is violating a major Cold War treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms, as a senior general lashed out at Washington’s attempts to “contain” Moscow. The tense rhetoric comes a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said …
Read More »Macron rejects calls to halt Saudi arms sales over Khashoggi
Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday brushed off pressure to halt lucrative arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying such calls were “pure demagoguery”. Sales of weapons to Riyadh — France’s second biggest customer after India — have “nothing …
Read More »Trudeau: Canada could scrap Saudi defense deal over rights
Montreal, Canada | AFP | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada could cancel a multi-billion dollar defense contract with Saudi Arabia following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in an interview broadcast Sunday. Trudeau, speaking on French-language talk show “Tout Le Monde En Parle” — recorded Thursday, before Riyadh confirmed …
Read More »US to update Saudi Arabia artillery for record $1.31 billion
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States on Thursday approved a contract to sell Saudi Arabia 180 self-propelled artillery systems for $1.31 billion, in the latest stage of perhaps the world’s biggest arms deal. When US President Donald Trump visited Riyadh last year he boasted that the desert …
Read More »US calls for South Sudan arms embargo after failed truce
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United States on Wednesday called for an international arms embargo to be imposed on South Sudan following the failure of the latest ceasefire aimed at ending the four-year war. US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the Security Council that President Salva Kiir’s government …
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