Uganda’s Borders Opened but Airports Stay Closed

The ruling Military Council today opened Uganda’s borders for the first time since last weekend’s coup, but airports in the East African country remained closed.

Radio Uganda said the opening of the borders was effective immediately. It did not indicate when airports might resume operations.

Travel in and out of Uganda has been virtually halted since the coup last Saturday that toppled the civilian government of President Milton Obote. Exceptions were made for convoys of foreigners, who were allowed to drive to neighboring Kenya.

Meanwhile, political negotiations continued over the formation of an interim coalition Cabinet to serve under the Military Council.

Political party leaders and military officials conferred during the day, but the new head of state, Lt. Gen. Tito Okello, reportedly did not appear for scheduled consultations with the party leaders.

Supporters Killed

Also today, a Roman Catholic-backed newspaper reported that at least five political supporters of Obote had been killed since the coup, and said two of his party’s Parliament members were being detained.

The Kampala Daily Munno also said members of the toppled president’s party have become targets of looting and terrorism in two eastern districts since the coup.

The newspaper reported that the violence was apparently not sanctioned by the new regime, saying it appeared to be random acts of revenge by people who felt they had been victimized under Obote’s rule.