UPDF soldiers get medals as Battle Group XXVII ends Somalia tour

Battle Group twenty-seven (BG XXVII) troops of the UPDF, which ended its Somali tour, received medals from the African Union for their contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The troops completed a one-year and five months duty the Horn of Africa country. Though they were supposed to stay for one year, the tour was extended by five more months in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which interfered with passenger flights.

They had gone to Somalia in April 2019 to conduct anti-insurgent operations against Al-Shabaab in the Lower Shabelle region that include areas of Arbiska, Albao, Baledogle, Afgooye, Lantabur, Seaport, State House, Parliament, Basecamp, and Aljazeera 1,2 and 3.

The group will be replaced by Battle Group XXX (BG XXX), which will assume security responsibility of the same areas.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony held at Sector One headquarters in Mogadishu, the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and logistics Maj. Gen. George Owinow said that UPDF has been the cornerstone of the AMISOM operations, having been the first Troop contributing country in 2007.

Maj. Gen. Owinow also praised the professionalism and focus which the UPDF has exhibited on top of being able to cooperate with the Somali National Army (SNA) and other partners in liberating key towns from Al-Shabaab control. 

The Deputy Sector One Commander Col. John Winston Mugarura congratulated the troops upon completing their tour.

“You have not left Somalia the same, your contribution to the peace process in this country has not only made a positive mark in the hearts and minds of the Somali people but also impacted positively on the regional peace and security,”Col Mugarura told the soldiers.

The Battle Group Commander Col Sam Kosiya Kutesa thanked the entire AMISOM leadership and other stakeholders for the relentless support and guidance.

Col. Kutesa appreciated the UPDF leadership for availing him and his entire team of the Battle Group the opportunity to contribute efforts to the quest for peace and stability in Somalia.

“I congratulate and also thank BG XXVII troops for the job well done and for the successful completion of their tour of duty in Somalia. They have learnt from the Somalia experience. Therefore, I urge them to utilize and share the knowledge gained for individual growth and with others back home,” he said.

Present at the ceremony was the Deputy BG XXVII commander Col Rogers E Okiror, Sector One Chief Administrative Officer Col Elvis T Byamukama, senior and junior officers at the Sector headquarter, among others.