Rhino Defence Force (Uganda)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
200
|
| Country: |
Uganda |
| Date formed: |
Aug. 12, 2003 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
day
|
| Details of Formation: |
The group was launched by state minister of health Mike Mukala and armed by the military in August 2003. |
| Date dissolved: |
Jan. 10, 2008 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
year
|
| Details of Termination: |
One source mentions the group being disbanded in 2008. |
| Termination Type(s): |
unclear
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
no |
| Former Armed Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
yes |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
person/minister
|
| Government Link(s): |
person/minister
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
|
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
no information |
| Shared Personnel: |
no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
| Other Information: |
In 2006 some of the recruits were drafted into the UPDF, alongside members from the Arrow group, ASTU and LDUs. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The group was set up and armed by the military to fight LRA insurgents in the Lango region. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
local presence
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
no information |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
unknown
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
no information |
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
Reports about the number of recruits varies widely. Up to 4,000 people from the Lango region are reported to have voluntarily joined the group. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
The group used guns provided by the government and underwent military training. |
Organisation
| Organisation: |
The militia’s chief is Felix Okot Ogong. The government allegedly provided logistical support to the group. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD
Evidence
