Uganda is set to send fresh troops to Somalia to replace another group of UPDF that has completed a successful mission in Somalia.
A new battle group from Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) is set to join the peacekeeping mission in Somalia ahead of 2020/21 polls.
Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces General David Muhoozi on Friday hosted 2,414 soldiers at Peace Support Operation Center in Singo. They are set to leave for Somalia this month.
Dubbed Battle Group UGABAG XXIX, the team will replace another group of UPDF that completed a successful mission in Somalia on Saturday.
The new battle group will be under Colonel Edward Kaddu. The Army chief also warned that the Al-Shabaab intelligence network closely monitors UPDF activities in Somalia.
Uganda is one of the biggest contributors to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Other contributing nations include Kenya and Burundi.
On Saturday 7th December 2019, a battle group from the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) set to leave Somali after completing a year-long tour of duty under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) received African Union medals and certificates in recognition of their contribution to the security and peace process in Somalia.
Collectively, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya contribute troops to AMISOM. The new UPDF battle group, UGABAG XXIX, will replace the outgoing battle group named UGABAG XXVI.
The AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma, hailed the departing troops for securing the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia and the capital, Mogadishu.
“You liberated Sabiid-Anole, El-Saliini, Bariire, and Awdheegle, and Baledogle in coordination with the Somali Security Forces. As Africans, we are proud of you for sacrificing your lives for peace in Somalia and Eastern Africa,” Lt. Gen. Tigabu revealed.
The Ugandan troops secured main supply routes (MSR) allowing safe movement of people and goods. They also protected population centres and conducted joint operations with the Somali National Army (SNA) to liberate areas from terrorists.
Present at the medal award ceremony included AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. Nakibus Lakara and the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, Maj. Gen. George Owinow.
