President Museveni Raises Concerns About the Quality of Soldiers Sent to Somalia
President Yoweri Museveni has expressed concerns about the quality of soldiers being sent to combat missions in Somalia and other war zones. He emphasized that these missions require soldiers who are well-equipped and prepared, rather than soldiers who simply collect UN allowances. The President stated that some troops dispatched to Somalia may not have been suitable or adequately prepared for the task at hand. He assured the public that the findings of the investigation into the matter would be made public after the Board of Inquiry completes its work. This follows a deadly attack on a Ugandan military base in Somalia where several soldiers are believed to have lost their lives.
President Museveni has expressed Concerns regarding the caliber of soldiers sent on combat missions to Somalia and other war zones.
In a statement on 27th May 2023, Gen (rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander-In-Chief, emphasized that these operations are combat missions, where soldiers must be equipped and fit for the task at hand, rather than welfare missions where soldiers could simply pick up UN allowances.
The President made an argument that some of the troops dispatched to Somalia may not have been suitable for the task at hand or well prepared for it. The President gave the people the assurance that the investigation’s findings would be made public after the Board of Inquiry had finished its work.
“Operations in Somalia and other theatres are combat missions and not welfare missions where you can access UN allowances.
“It is criminal for anybody involved, to send into such a theatre, soldiers who are either not suited for that mission or not properly prepared for it. Details will come out after the BOI has finished its work,” Gen Museveni noted.
This follows a deadly Friday morning attack on the UPDF base in Somalia where several soldiers are believed to have lost their lives.
Below is President Museveni’s full statement;
Ugandans and Bazzukulu.
Greetings. Things are moving well on a number of fronts. I have concluded a tour on wealth creation issues in the Masaka zone. Masaka zone is doing well with coffee, bananas, palm oil and the dairy industry.
However, in the night of Thursday, at the 11th hour of the night and ten minutes (what the Europeans call 5.30am of Friday), we had an unfortunate incident in Somalia where our force has operated successfully, ever since 2007. In the area of Bulo-Mareer, there was an FOB (Forward Operational Base) manned by a company of UPDF soldiers. Those defenses are quite strong although they are guarded by light weapons.
There were two tanks, two 14.5mm anti- air-craft guns and a 107mm Katyusha rocket launcher. Some of the soldiers there did not perform as expected and panicked, which disorganized them and the Al-Shabaab took advantage of that to overrun the base and destroy some of the equipment.
The panic, it seems, was totally unnecessary because, in fact, both the anti-tank ditch and our soldiers had destroyed the 3 vehicles of explosives outside the FOB. The suicide bombers or whatever, were forced to blow themselves up before they gained entry into the base.
Moreover, our UAVs were watching the whole scenario from up in the sky and directing fire. The CDF has set up a Board of Inquiry (BOI) and the full facts will come out, including the details of the casualties.
Many of the soldiers withdrew to the next FOB, nine kilometers away. The terrorists were many, about 800 or so according to the UAVs.
Hence, it was a missed opportunity, to annihilate them. The operations are continuing and they will regret their actions.
Condolences to the country and the families of those who died. This unfortunate incident should be used to remind all those concerned, that operations in Somalia and other theatres, are combat missions and not welfare missions where you can access UN allowances.
It is criminal for anybody involved, to send into such a theatre soldier who are either not suited for that mission or not properly prepared for it. Details will come out after the BOI has finished its work.
Signed:
YOWERI K. MUSEVENI
GEN. (RTD)
