UN probes reports Uganda troops clashed in Congo

KINSHASA, Apr 27 (Reuters) UN peacekeepers in Congo are investigating reports that Ugandan soldiers crossed into Congo in pursuit of rebels and clashed with Congolese troops, a U.N.

spokesman said Today.

Security sources in Kinshasa said Ugandan soldiers had clashed with the Congolese army near the frontier town of Aba, in the remote northeast, after crossing the border to hunt down Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels hiding there.

''We have received reports from the Congolese army that there was a contact between them and the Ugandan army south of Aba yesterday,'' Hans-Jakob Reichen, military spokesman for U.N. forces in eastern Congo, told Reuters by telephone.

''We are unable to confirm or infirm this but we have the firm intention of verifying this information. Because of the potential problems we will look into it,'' he said.

Uganda's army denied any Ugandan soldiers were involved.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said last month Uganda would not hesitate to send troops into Congo if it was attacked by LRA rebels based there. The U.N. and Congo's government have turned down several Ugandan offers to chase the LRA over the border.

REUTERS CH VV1545