Lt. Gen. Kayanja Calls for Continued Vigilance in the Fight Against Al-Shabab in Somalia
Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga visited UPDF troops in Somalia to assess their effectiveness against Al-Shabab. He emphasized continued vigilance, highlighted progress, and prepared the forces for the impending transition to AUSSOM.
Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga in a group photo with officers in Somalia
Commander Land Forces of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, has reiterated the critical importance of maintaining the operational momentum that has significantly degraded Al-Shabab’s capabilities.
During his recent visit to UPDF troops in Somalia, serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Lt. Gen. Kayanja underscored the need for continued vigilance among commanders and troops to safeguard the achievements made against the terrorist group.
According to a statement released by the UPDF on Saturday, August 24, 2024, Lt. Gen. Kayanja’s visit aimed to evaluate the operational effectiveness and readiness of the troops in countering Al-Shabab activities.
Lt. Gen. Kayanja briefing UPDF troops
In addition to discussing strategic and operational matters, Lt. Gen. Muhanga advised the troops on the importance of maintaining proper nutrition and engaging in regular physical exercise to ensure they remain fit and prepared for the rigorous demands of military service.
He commended Brig. Gen. Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, the Uganda Contingent Commander, and the troops for their dedicated efforts in maintaining peace, security, and stability in Somalia. Notable progress has been made in restricting Al-Shabab’s freedom of movement and operations.
During his visit, Lt. Gen. Muhanga also engaged with key stakeholders, including ATMIS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Chief of Defence Force of the Somali National Army Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh, and representatives from the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU X) and the Level II Hospital in Mogadishu.
Brig. Gen. Mbuusi characterized the visit as a valuable opportunity to connect with the field forces and synchronize efforts towards the mission’s objectives. He acknowledged the vital support from Uganda, which has been instrumental in enabling the troops to effectively fulfill their duties. He expressed confidence that with continued support, the strategic objectives would be achieved.
The visit comes at a pivotal time as the troops under ATMIS prepare for the final drawdown and transition to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) scheduled for December 2024.
Uganda was the first nation to deploy troops to Somalia, leading the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), a regional peacekeeping mission sanctioned by the African Union and approved by the United Nations. AMISOM was established by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on January 19, 2007, with an initial mandate of six months.
AMISOM succeeded the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Peace Support Mission to Somalia (IGASOM), which had been a proposed protection and training mission approved by the African Union in September 2006 and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.
On February 20, 2007, the United Nations Security Council authorized the African Union to deploy a peacekeeping mission for six months, adopting Resolution 1744 (2007). This mission aimed to support a national reconciliation process and requested a report within 60 days on the feasibility of a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.
Over time, additional countries, including Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, and Ethiopia, joined AMISOM as troop-contributing nations. In October 2014, the UN Security Council, through Resolution 2182 (2014), extended the mission’s mandate until November 30, 2015. Subsequently, in August 2017, the UN Security Council issued Resolution 2372, enabling the gradual transfer of security responsibilities from AMISOM to Somali security forces, contingent on their capabilities and progress in political and security domains.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2628 authorized the African Union Peace and Security Council to reconfigure AMISOM and transition it to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as of April 1, 2022.
Earlier this year, ATMIS initiated a drawdown program involving a phased reduction and eventual withdrawal of AU peacekeeping forces from Somalia, with security responsibilities progressively transferred to the Somali Security Forces in four phases.
