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Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma has assumed the role of force commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), succeeding Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding. Kavuma, previously the commander of Operation Wealth Creation, was appointed by President Museveni in March. Upon arrival in Mogadishu on July 28, 2024, Kavuma was welcomed with a guard of honor and briefed by key staff officers.

Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma has assumed office as the force commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Kavuma, who has been commander Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), succeeds Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, who has been appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF.

The development follows his appointment in March by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

The defence ministry said in a statement on Monday, July 29, 2024, that upon his arrival in Mogadishu on Sunday, July 28, 2024, Lt Gen Kavuma was accorded a guard of honour by UPDF troops at the ATMIS headquarters.

It added that he subsequently received a briefing from key staff officers, led by Maj. Gen. Peter Muteti, the deputy force commander in charge of support and logistics.

Lt Gen Kavuma’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, as ATMIS prepares for a phased drawdown and transition into a new mission to stabilise Somalia.

Shortly after assuming duty, Kavuma stated: “I am here to join the team as we implement the transition into a new mission come December 2024. As the team captain, I will head the military components in ATMIS.”

Kavuma expressed his gratitude for the efforts of all troop-contributing countries to the mission since its inception in 2007, which has resulted in the liberation of numerous towns in Somalia.

He acknowledged the significant achievements made by various actors, including the Federal Government of Somalia, and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to degrade al-Shabaab, achieve peace and enable Somalis to engage in productive development.

Kavuma previously served as sector one commander from 2014-2015, overseeing the liberation of several towns in the Lower Shebelle region.

He later held positions as deputy commander of the UPDF Air Force and deputy chief coordinator – OWC in Uganda.

Present at the occasion were ATMIS Military Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Kindu Gezu, ATMIS Sector One Commander Brig. Gen. Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi and senior and staff officers.

Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to ATMIS (previously African Union Mission in Somalia) into Somalia in March 2007.

So far, Uganda has provided about half a dozen commanders to the mission and has deployed over 40 battle groups to the mission.