Wednesday, October 29, 2014
KAMPALA,(Xinhua) -- The first batch of the 2,700-strong troops assigned to replace their colleagues stationed in volatile Somalia a year ago arrived at Mogadishu International airport Tuesday morning, the Ugandan military said on Tuesday.
The troops have been deployed under a newly appointed Ugandan contingent commander to the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM),Brig. Sam Kavuma, according to a statement by the Ugandan military.
"The troops under Uganda Battle group XIV is the 17th battle group Uganda fielding to Somalia since 2007 and are replacing Battle group XII which has been under AMISOM for a year and recently captured the last Al Shabaab stronghold of Barawe," the statement said.
A plane carrying the first batch of 100 soldiers safely landed at Mogadishu International airport Tuesday morning and brought back an equal number to Entebbe Airport, Uganda.
Gen. Katumba Wamala the Chief of Defense Forces has urged the soldiers to respect the Somali culture, adding that Uganda went to Somalia to help the Somali people just as the Tanzanians once helped Uganda in 1979.
He warned that despite the improved security situation in Somalia, terrorists are still unpredictable and can inflict damage.
"Always remember that this mission is still a doze and die mission. Be vigilant and ... guard against terrorists," he said.