A visit to Uganda by North Korea’s vice-minister for security has nothing to do with supplying arms but was related to Pyongyang’s continued support in police training, Ugandan officials said Friday.
“It is nothing to do with that. It has nothing to do with the supply of weapons or tear gas. That is not our aim,” outgoing minister for internal affairs, Hillary Onek, told journalists.
Onek was responding to a question after the North Korean minister, Ri Song Chol, was pictured holding a tear gas gun at a visit to a police facility in Kampala.
A joint communique read by Uganda’s police chief Kale Kayihura said Pyongyang will continue helping Kampala with police training, including in martial arts, the development of the marine unit and the transfer of medical expertise.
North Korea, which has had diplomatic representation in Uganda since the central African country became independent from Britain in 1962, has been training Ugandan police since 2007.
Communist-ruled North Korea is one of the most isolated nations in the world and is considered to have one of the worst human rights records.
Onek brushed off concerns that hosting a North Korean delegation could impact negatively on Uganda’s relations with the West.
“Uganda is an independent country. No one can decide on who we maintain relations with,” Onek said.
“This is an exchange visit between friends,” Ri Song Chol said, adding: “President (Yoweri) Museveni already visited my country as did Minister Onek and now we are visiting Uganda.”
The North Korean minister met with Museveni on Friday evening before he was due to fly back home.
North Korea visit not linked to arms supply: Uganda
