Event Summary:
At 0845hrs of November 8th 2015 the first group rotation of Ugandan Soldiers (UPDF) touched down at Mogadishu Airport and was received by Acting Uganda Contingent Commander, Col. Silvio Aguma.
They are to replace their colleagues who have completed a year of duty under the AMISOM troops in Somalia.
The outgoing group has been lauded for holding the fort in the Barawe area in Somalia and has recorded significant gains against the militants.
Analysis:
The first batch of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers expected to take over from the colleagues who have conclude the one-year duty in Somalia touched down at the Mogadishu Airport on Sunday 7th November 2015 at 0845hrs.
The UPDF serve under the AMISOM troops in Somalia and are mainly centered in Barawe area where they have made remarkable gains against the al Shabaab militants.
The incoming batch was received by Acting Uganda Contingent Commander, Col. Silvio Aguma who expressed enthusiasm in the fresh team which is led by Col. Bob Ogik.
The immediate mandate of the incoming troops will be centered on conducting security operations and maintain the supply routes ensuring they remain open and free of barriers by the militants.
The UPDF role in Barawe region is very fundamental the routes they are tasked to keep open are used both by the AMISOM personnel as well as the general Somali populace in their day-to-day activities keeping the economy afloat and running.
Summary and Forecast:
The incoming troops dubbed battle group 17 are fresh from training, highly motivated and with fresh combat tactics. The rotation of the soldiers ensures that the soldiers in the field aren’t worn out, demotivated or suffering burnout. Frequent rotations also ensure that the soldiers don’t get to familiar and in turn loose discipline compromising the operation and lives of their colleagues.
Other Troop Contributing Countries are also expected to conduct as similar rotational process as reinforcement for the Somali National Army.
The rotation and arrival of battle group 17 is very instrumental as it comes at such a time when the al Shabaab militants are in disarray and high tension and suspicion rocking their ranks. Fresh troops with recent combat training will ensure further decapitation and eventual annihilation of the militants.
