Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) has dispatched its thirtieth Battle Group to Somalia to reinforce the AMISOM peacekeeping mission in the war-torn country.
The flagging-off event was presided over by the Chief of Defence Forces-CDF of the UPDF, Gen David Muhoozi at the Peace Support Operation and Training Center (PSO TC) in Singo, Nakaseke district.
The Battle Group of 1,800 highly trained veterans and regular force is commanded by Colonel Jimmy Musoke.
Gen. David Muhoozi cautioned the soldiers to be cautious of their health by observing the COVID-19 guidelines and preventive measures of other communicable diseases.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) had put on hold troop movements as a measure to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the entire world, so far there are 28 million COVID-19 infections and 914,461 reported deaths.
In Uganda, the cumulative reported cases to-date are 4,377. The country has registered 49 deaths.
“COVID-19 came as a new phenomenon. We neither had no concrete ideas about the virus nor did we have adequate capacity to manage it,” Gen Muhoozi.
He, however, noted that countries have now developed the capacity to deal with the virus, citing the production and utilization of millions of personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizers.
Gen. Muhoozi championed the soldiers to remain on high alert and move to foil any enemy threats that may arise thereby consolidating the achievements of the previous battle groups.
He expressed confidence that the extra training time the battlegroup received will make them perform batter.
The CDF was flanked by the Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu who ratified discipline among the troops as a core attribute in military service.
Since 2007, Uganda has deployed over 30 battle groups into the Somalia hinterland. The troops have successfully thwarted the Al-Shabaab militants and brought peace, stability and economic development in Somalia.
The African Union on September 6, 2020, awarded soldiers in the Battle Group XXVII with medals in recognition of their role in promoting peace, hence furthering the mandate of African Union Mission in Somalia.
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