The Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF), Gen David Muhoozi, flagged off aviation contingent to be deployed under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The air contingent that will be under the command of Col. Moses Amanya was flagged off at Nakasongola UPDF Air Force (UPDF – AF) Wing.
According the UPDF-CDF, the operations against the the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab insurgents will be much easier with the presence of air support.
Gen. Muhoozi noted that presence of air-power will offer us extensive asymmetric advantages over the unconventional and `dispersed enemy in Somalia. With air assets, we will be able respond quickly with precision fires or inject a quick reaction force once the enemy assembles,” he said.
The Gen. further noted that the presence of air assets will also not only guarantee dominance of firepower for the UPDF over the enemy but also provide marked advantage on technical intelligence, among other benefits urging the Air Force team to fully cultivate the advantages they can offer to the ground forces so as to bring a quick end to the Al-Shabaab menace.
On his part, the Commander Air Forces, Lt Gen Charles Lwanga Lutaaya noted that deployment of the aviation unit to Somalia is based on a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union, United Nations and Government of Uganda.
