By Kampala Post Reporter
Uganda battle group twenty-eight (BG XXVIII) on Tuesday took over the responsibility of overseeing the security of Marka, Quoryoole and Awe-digley in Lower Shabelle region of Somalia.
Until Tuesday, battle group twenty-five (BG XXV) has been in charge of the region. The sector one commander of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) who is also Ugandan contingent commander in Somalia, Brigadier Michael Kabango presided over the hand/takeover ceremony at the contingent headquarters in Mogadishu.
Brigadier Kabango commended BG XXV commander, Colonel Paul Muhanguzi together with his team for dedicated service during their one-year tour of duty that ended on Tuesday. He welcomed BG XXVIII under the command of Colonel Wilberforce Serunkuma, urging them to be vigilant throughout their tour of duty despite the visibly improving security situation in Somalia.
“Al-Shabaab still disturbs the people of Somalia and pose some degree of threat on the roads. They lay ambushes against civilians, collect illegal taxes and plant improvised explosive devices. They also employ vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices against civilians and civilian objects,” Brigadier Kabango said.
The contingent commander reminded the incoming battle group that in order to achieve their goals and mission, they must uphold a pro-people ideology and historical standards of discipline that form the foundation upon which the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) is built. He reminded the incoming group of UPDF’s zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline. The Brigadier warned of stringent punitive measures against any member that will fall short of the standard operating procedures or indulge in any form of indiscipline and illegalities.
He urged the commanders at all levels to lead by example and desist from any unprofessional conduct or subversive tendencies lest they weaken the fabric of the entire force. Brigadier Kabango also urged the contingent leadership at all levels to know their troops and care for them as required of military leaders. “Always be able to account for your troops. Always check on them. Be in the know of their wellbeing at all times,” he emphasized.