Outgoing Ugandan troops have been praised by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) for escalating the fight against al-Shabab insurgents in the coastal Barawe region of southern Somalia.
On Saturday, ATMIS Force Commander Diomede Ndegeya presented medals and certificates to soldiers from Battle Group 32 for their contributions to Somalia’s ongoing rebuilding effort.
“You’ve done your country and this mission proud. In carrying out the mission’s mandate, you have demonstrated professionalism, discipline, and devotion. And Somalia’s relative stability may be attributed in part to your dedication and sacrifice “Ndegeya said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, on Saturday evening.
According to Ndegeya, the soldiers undertook and sustained major military operations to degrade al-Shabab after being deployed to various military bases in Barawe and Beldamin.
The soldiers, who joined the mission in March 2021, are scheduled to rotate out after completing their one-year tour of duty, and will be replaced by Battle Group 35.
Ugandan forces in Somalia, according to Keith Katungi, contingent commander, helped secure important supply routes and population centers in their area of responsibility, allowing local residents to go about their daily lives normally.
Katungi also praised the military for carrying out multiple successful offensive operations against al-Shabab terrorists, including ensuring that the parliamentary elections in Barawe were held successfully.
Katungi advised the commander of the in-coming battle group to be vigilant and tactful in the execution of the Mission’s mandate in his Area of Responsibility. Enditem