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Seven Ugandan peacekeepers serving under the African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have been killed during a high-stakes joint military operation with the Somali National Army (SNA) aimed at retaking the strategic town of Sabiid-Canoole in the Lower Shabelle region. The operation, codenamed “Silent Storm,” unfolded over three days and targeted a key Al-Shabaab stronghold located approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.
Uganda’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths, describing the fallen soldiers as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism. “Unfortunately, we lost seven soldiers during the battle,” said Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the ministry’s spokesperson. “Their bravery and commitment to peace in Somalia will never be forgotten.”
The offensive resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Al-Shabaab militants and the recovery of significant weapons caches. Military officials reported that the joint forces dismantled an extensive network of underground tunnels used by the insurgents to store explosives and coordinate attacks. The operation also disrupted Al-Shabaab’s logistics and planning hub, which had been used to stage vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacks and extort civilians through illegal checkpoints.
Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, AUSSOM’s Force Commander, praised the joint effort, stating that the mission was a critical step in degrading Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities and advancing the Somali Transition Plan. “This mission was vital in weakening the group’s ability to launch suicide bombings and move weapons across the region,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, Uganda’s Sector One Commander, described Sabiid-Canoole as a long-standing operational base for Al-Shabaab. “Since March, this town had become a strategic location for the terrorists to plan attacks, hide weapons, and extort civilians,” he noted.
Following the successful recapture of the town, AUSSOM and SNA units began consolidating control and launched follow-up operations in the wider Afgooye district to eliminate remaining militant pockets. The bodies of the fallen peacekeepers will be repatriated to Uganda, where they will be laid to rest with full military honors.
Uganda has been a key troop-contributing country to the African Union’s peacekeeping efforts in Somalia since 2007. Over the years, Ugandan forces have played a frontline role in pushing Al-Shabaab out of major urban centers. However, the group continues to pose a significant threat, particularly in rural areas where it maintains a strong presence and frequently stages deadly attacks.
The recent operation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by African Union forces in Somalia, especially as AUSSOM continues to transition security responsibilities to Somali forces. Despite fielding over 11,000 troops, AUSSOM leadership has indicated that an additional 8,000 personnel are needed to meet operational demands amid rising militant activity.
As Somalia and its partners push forward with the Somali Transition Plan, the sacrifices made by peacekeepers like those lost in Operation Silent Storm highlight the high cost of restoring stability in the region. Their deaths serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against extremism and the resilience required to achieve lasting peace.