Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 27, 2007

Ugandan Officials Probing Deadly Army Crash
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=18FFD21:A6F02AD83191E160B19015ABDA9491849574F7DCC14957C0 The truck in which
the soldiers and their families were traveling smashed into a concrete
barrier in the eastern part of the country Ugandan officials are
investigating the crash of an army truck late Sunday that killed at
least 72 people in the vehicle, including 57 soldiers. Cathy Majtenyi
reports for VOA from Nairobi.

The truck in which the soldiers and their families were traveling
smashed into a concrete barrier in the eastern part of the country.

Ugandan army spokesman Major Felix Kulayigye tells VOA that the loss
represents almost two platoons of soldiers, one of the highest number
of deaths of troops in a non-combat situation.

"It is a great loss for us - it is a tragedy," he said. "It indeed
will have an impact on morale, particularly in the battalion wherever
these soldiers were based. Of course, our hearts go to the families of
the bereaved."

Kulayigye says a team of investigators is trying to determine the
cause of the crash. Media reports indicate that the brakes may have
failed as the truck was navigating steep, winding roads in the area.

Soldiers have been deployed in eastern Uganda in recent months to try
to stem cattle-rustling in the area, particularly following threats by
Pokot cattle herders living in Kenya who periodically cross the border
into Uganda to raid cattle.


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