Ugandan Deputy Chief of Defense Forces commends troops in Somalia

Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Defense Forces (D/CDF) and Inspector General of UPDF Lt Gen. Charles Angina has visited and inspected troops, key installations and grounds of tactical importance to the UPDF troops serving under AMISOM and United Nations Guard Unit in Somalia.

He commended the troops for the noble role they are playing alongside other partners towards pacifying Somalia and encouraged the troops to uphold the values of the force and mission.

He also challenged the troops to maintain vigilance, combat readiness, embrace intelligence-led operations and enhance civil cooperation in order to consolidate the gains so far scored in the fight against Al Shabaab.

Speaking while inspecting the troops in Mogadishu, Arbiska, and Marka, Gen Angina said, “I came to assess the force’s morale and level of combat readiness in performing their duties in AMISOM and United Nations Guard Force. I also came to address issues of their facilitations. There are a few challenges but these can be managed over a time and am glad that the forces have maintained morale.”

He also spoke about the strong relations between Uganda and Somalia, expressing optimism that the strength of the Somali National Army will continue to grow through the ongoing mentorship programs by AMISOM and its partners.

“For the Somali Federal Government, we are very grateful for the good cooperation and that we are jointly working with SNA. We hope that by the time we finish this assignment, we shall have built capacity for them to be able to ensure the security of this country, necessary for direct investment and development,” he added.

The Commander of the AMISOM Uganda Contingent Brig Gen Sam Kavuma said the visit was timely and addressed issues pertinent to the forces.

“The Deputy Chief of Defense Forces’ visit involved inspection of the troops but he also delivered a package of ideological messages for enhancement of discipline and morale for overall improvement of performance, to achieve the desired goals of the mission in Somalia,” Said Brig Kavuma.Lt Gen. Angina also paid courtesy calls on the AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen Jonathan Rono as well as the UN D/SRGS to Somalia Raidedon Zenenga.