Uganda Sends New Troops to Somalia, 48th Battalion Replacing Previous Forces

Muqdisho — The Ugandan government has sent new troops to Somalia, which are part of the African Union Mission in Support of and Stabilization of Somalia (AUSSOM), with the 48th battalion replacing the previously deployed 45th battalion in the country.

According to a report from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), the new battalion is led by Colonel Michael Opio Ocuka, and the troops are prepared to participate in security and stabilization efforts in Somalia.

Major General Jackson Kayanja, who is the commander of the First Division of the Ugandan forces, urged the new troops to uphold discipline, professionalism, and vigilance while carrying out their duties in Somalia. Kayanja also emphasized the importance of the troops respecting the chain of command, maintaining unity, and fully fulfilling their assigned responsibilities.

He added that cooperation among the troops and the continuous prevention of Al-Shabaab threats are crucial for the security operations they are conducting in Somalia. For his part, the Deputy Commander of the First Division, Colonel Jude Rukubya, encouraged the new troops to adapt to the security conditions in Somalia and to learn from the experiences of other forces operating in the mission to enhance cooperation and effectiveness of the troops.

The Ugandan forces have also emphasized the importance of cooperation among African countries and understanding the responsibilities of AUSSOM, which supports efforts to strengthen security and stability in Somalia. The change of Ugandan battalions is part of the troop transfer process of the operation, with troops from African Union countries supporting security efforts in Somalia. The UPDF report did not mention the number of soldiers in the 48th battalion and the specific locations they will operate in Somalia.