Uganda has formally bid farewell to the new contingent of the 12th United Nations peacekeeping force, which is being deployed to Somalia to participate in peacekeeping operations.
The farewell ceremony took place at the International Peacekeeping and Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Ssingo.
Addressing the troops being deployed to Somalia, the Deputy Commander of the Land Forces, Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, urged the soldiers to maintain their military discipline and professionalism.
“You have been assigned to one of the most prestigious missions in Africa. You are the representatives of Uganda. The national flag on your uniform reminds you that you are representing your country,” said Maj Gen Ssemwanga.
Maj Gen Ssemwanga warned the troops of the threat posed by the Al-Shabaab group.
He stressed to the troops that the principle of Pan-Africanism is the pillar of Uganda’s participation in the Somalia operation, and commended the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff for their role in strengthening the force and enhancing Uganda’s role in peace and stability in the region.
The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council recently strongly stressed the need to expedite the provision of adequate troops to Somalia and sustainable funding to strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in order to accelerate the fight against Al-Shabaab.
A statement from a ministerial meeting in Addis Ababa called for the urgent provision of adequate troops to the ongoing operations in Somalia and the assurance of sustainable, predictable and long-term funding to support AUSSOM.
