The Commander of Land Forces in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Kayanja Muhanga, has conducted an operational visit to Ugandan troops deployed in Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, assessing their combat readiness and effectiveness.
During visits to the Awdhegeele and Barrire Forward Operating Bases, Lt. Gen. Muhanga commended the troops for their professionalism, discipline, and contribution to regional peace and security.
“Your professionalism and discipline continue to stand out, and your efforts remain critical in supporting the stabilisation of Somalia and advancing the mission mandate,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of teamwork and the spirit of Pan-Africanism, reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to supporting peace efforts across the continent, including deployments in South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“These efforts reflect our shared continental responsibility to ensure peace and security across Africa,” he added.
Lt. Gen. Muhanga also praised the troops for their role in recent joint operations conducted alongside the Somali National Army and international partners, which led to the capture and stabilisation of key towns such as Sabii-Anole, Barrire, Awdhegeele, and Mubarak.
“These gains demonstrate effective coordination, resilience, and dedication to mission objectives,” he noted.
Sector One Commander, Brig. Gen. Jackson Kayanja, urged the troops to remain vigilant, warning that the security situation remains unpredictable.
“The environment is still fluid, and I urge you to maintain high levels of vigilance and strict adherence to standard operating procedures to safeguard both personnel and our operational gains,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Kayanja also underscored the importance of civil-military cooperation, particularly engagement with local communities and coordination with Somali forces to strengthen trust and improve intelligence gathering.
Battle Group 44 Commander, Col. Owiny Akena, briefed the delegation on the operational environment and recent achievements within his area of responsibility.
The visit was attended by the AUSSOM Coordinator, representatives from military intelligence, contingent asset commanders, as well as senior and junior officers and mission partners.
