KINSHASA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has transferred reinforcement troops to its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following an escalation of armed clashes in the area, a broadcasting station of the UN mission here said Thursday.

    Congolese residents near the border area confirmed the news, saying that they had seen reinforcement Ugandan troops with heavy weapons in the area, the station said.

    A regional military commander, however, was quoted as saying that he has not been informed of any information about Uganda's reinforcement operation.

    The news came amid a series of border clashes between the two neighbors. Four Ugandan soldiers were detained by DRC forces on July 29 for allegedly crossing into Congolese territory. Four days later, a British contractor was killed by Congolese soldiers in a cross border attack.

    Local media reported that the presidents of both countries are scheduled to meet in Tanzania early next month to defuse the tension.

    The UN mission in Congo includes an 18,000-strong peacekeeping force that is helping maintain security in the volatile Central African nation.