Uganda has officially deployed a new contingent of troops from its 12th unit of United Nations peacekeepers to Somalia, where they will participate in peace support operations.
The send-off ceremony took place at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Ssingo, with senior military officials in attendance.
Addressing the troops, Deputy Commander of the Ugandan Land Forces, Major General Joseph Ssemwanga, urged them to uphold discipline and maintain the highest military standards while serving abroad.
“You have been prepared for one of Africa’s most honorable missions. You are representatives of Uganda. The national flag on your uniforms is a reminder that you carry your country’s honor wherever you serve,” Maj Gen Ssemwanga said.
He also cautioned the troops about the persistent threats posed by the militant group Al-Shabaab and emphasized the importance of Pan-Africanism as a guiding principle in Uganda’s participation in the Somali mission. Maj Gen Ssemwanga further commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Commander and Defence Forces leadership for their efforts to strengthen the military and enhance Uganda’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Recently, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council highlighted the urgent need to rapidly mobilize sufficient troops for Somalia and to secure sustained funding to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). In a ministerial-level meeting in Addis Ababa, AU officials stressed the importance of ensuring long-term, predictable financing and adequate troop deployments to bolster ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab.
The Ugandan contingent is expected to integrate with existing UN and AU-led operations, contributing to security, stabilization, and counterterrorism efforts across Somalia’s southern and central regions.