A total of 529 Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers attached to United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) in Somalia returned to Uganda after two years of service.
They jetted back to their home country alongside 1,406 soldiers of the 25 battle group who had also had completed one year of service.
The Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General David Muhoozi received the soldiers at the UPDF Peace Support Operations and Training Center (PSO-TC) in Nakaseke district.
General Muhoozi applauded the troops for raising the Ugandan flag high on foreign missions. He acknowledged that Somalia and Africa at large still face numerous security threats which need to be encountered in a common front.
The General pointed out that UPDF counts success in Somalia due to the selfless contribution made by the troops as well as their predecessors.
He said the soldiers serve in an extra-ordinary force that is distinguishable from other armies by its character, discipline, and capabilities.
General Muhoozi granted the troops 45-day rest to recuperate. UPDF has already deployed its sixth UNGU team to secure the UN Mission in Somalia and the 28th battle group under the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Somalia has been facing Al-Shabaab militancy threat for nearly two decades and AMISOM troops have been supporting the weak Federal Government Forces. SNA needs to prepare to take over the country’s security responsibilities as AMISOM exit draws near.
