Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen David Muhoozi, cautioned Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers set to be deployed to Somalia to be on high alert during the festive season of Christmas.
The General asked the soldiers to exercise vigilance since it’s the period the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab intensifies attacks against African Union troops in the country.
General Muhoozi gave the caution at Peace Support Operation and Training Centre, Singo before he flagged off 2,414 troops of Battle Group 29 heading to Somalia to serve under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for the next 12 months
You are deploying around the festive season. Do not go in a festive mood because the threats of attack are highest in this period. Therefore, do not get surprised when you are welcomed with fire. If welcomed with fire, you must also respond with significant fire, Gen Muhoozi said.
The Al-Shabaab has always targeted African Union troops (AMISOM) during the festive season in December. In 2014, they attacked a UPDF officers’ mess and killed four soldiers.
After the attack, the then al-Shabaab spokesperson, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, while claiming responsibility for the attack noted that the group planned and carried out while people celebrated Christmas.
The UPDF Commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, told the soldiers to observe maximum discipline and warned of “punitive measures on any soldier that will fall short of the set disciplinary standards.
According to the commandant of Singo Training School, Col Bonny Wolimbwa, the battle group 29 has been undergoing pre-mission training for that last six months.
