It’s not just in Somalia that the international community is desperate for Uganda’s steadying influence. Ever since the 2007-08 post-election violence in Kenya, Uganda has portrayed itself as the sole island of calm in a very troubled region – and the international community needs it to remain that way. Immediately to the north, last month’s independence referendum in South Sudan may have passed more or less peacefully but the embryonic country is intensely fragile and dependent on Ugandan imports. To the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo faces uncertain elections toward the end of the year. To the south, rising infighting and paranoia among Rwanda’s ruling elite is causing increasing concern.