Will Ross BBC, Kampala

The Ugandan foreign minister has spoken of a security vacuum when his country's troops withdraw from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo in a week's time.

He said there would be problems on the ground and blamed the United Nations for failing to deploy a military force in Ituri, a district in northeast Congo where ethnic massacres took place earlier in April.

Last week President Yoweri Museveni reiterated Uganda's commitment to take his troops out by the agreed deadline of 24 April in order to contribute to peace in the Congo.

But he had however secured an arrangement with the Congolese government that would allow Uganda to maintain some troops on the western slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains inside Congo to combat Ugandan rebel activities.

Uganda has eight battalions of troops in Ituri District.

Uganda and Rwanda went to fight on the side of anti- Congolese rebels four years ago, in order to counter insurgents, who they said were destabilising their countries.

UN 'scared'

Addressing the press on Thursday, Foreign Minister Wapakabulo suggested that the United Nations is scared of getting involved in Congo.

But even if a force were not in place by the scheduled date the withdrawal of Ugandan troops would still go ahead, he added.

"We fear that without the presence of a strong military force a massacre like that in Drodro between ethnic groups is likely to take place," the foreign minister added.

Uganda has in recent years backed numerous rebel groups in Congo, with accusations and counter accusations that its troops are implicated in some of the atrocities in that region.

"If any problem like massacres happen Uganda should not be held responsible. Uganda did not train militias in Congo. We trained armies".

These soldiers he said, were now fighting with established rebel groups inside Congo.

Mr Wapakabulo then turned his attention to former allies, Rwanda, with whom relations have drastically soured.

He said that talks between the two leaders will be taking place soon adding that it is unlikely there will be a war between Uganda and Rwanda.