The Ugandan military on Monday said it had started investigations into reports that some of its peacekeeping troops in Somalia were involved in the sale of military equipment. Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the army spokesman told Xinhua that they were working with the Somali police to determine the authenticity of the reports. ”A comprehensive investigation is under way. If found guilty, they will face the full wrath of the law, that kind of behaviour is unacceptable,” said Ankunda. Five soldiers from Uganda, Burundi and ten Somali civilians were rounded up on Sunday in a security operation conducted by the Somali National Police and intelligence officers at a garage in Benadir region. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), in a statement, said it was aware of allegations and claims made against some of the troops operating under its auspices.Uganda provides the bulk of the African Union peacekeeping troops helping to pacify Somalia. AMISOM said in a statement it had launched investigations into the conduct of the troops and pledged stern action once probe was completed. ‘‘AMISOM, in collaboration with the Somali police force will continue to investigate this matter to its ultimate conclusion. It will take the requisite steps to ensure that this practice is uprooted from within its ranks,” it said. Somali Police Commissioner, Gen. Mohamed Hassan Hamud, said the five AU soldiers and 10 civilians were nabbed in Benadir region. AMISOM said it had received information that its soldiers were allegedly involved in illegal activity.
