UPDF Gen Katumba Wamala Joins AMISOM troops on Frontline in Somalia as they Advance to take the Key port city of Barawe. In a bid to boost their morale and add his council on how to liberate the last stronghold of Alshabbab port city of Barawe, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces General Edward Katumba Wamala flew into Mogadishu and later to the last frontline in Basley . This is 147Km from Mogadishu where the last unit of Advancing UPDF AMISOM troops has reached after capturing strategic towns of Bulu-Maleer and Kurtunuaraay. The war tested General moved through all deployments and talked to advancing troops amidst chanting and singing by soldiers “Kazi uliyo tutuma Muzei tutamaliza” loosely translated as “sir, we shall finish the task you gave to us. General Wamala, extended his big thanks to the troops and commanders for making such a lightening advance and capture of several towns that has since put Alshabaab off balance and scampering for the nearest boats to cross over the Indian ocean. He assured the soldiers of peace at home and full support and care for their needs as they perform the noble cause of saving the Somali people from the tyranny of Alshabaab terrorists. He briefed them of developments at home, in the region and in different theatres where UPDF is engaged. Turning to the widely talked about nonpayment of allowances which has been in the media and within the ranks and files of troops for the last seven months, the General explained bit by bit the reasons and the processes the allowances pass through before the money is finally paid to soldier X or Y. He indicated that the delay was caused by some technical delays by the AMISOM funders the European Union who delayed to meet their part of the bargain in the African Union MoU. He however, assured soldiers that African Union leadership are in final stages of having all the delayed arrears deposited onto the accounts of troop contributing countries and then to soldiers personal accounts. He was happy to note that all soldiers were healthy and feeding well which has given them good health to fight on and defeat the already weakened enemy. In all the detachments he visited, General Wamala was seen eating with troops and listening and answering each single question soldiers asked. As a matter of maintaining the good name of AMISOM and Uganda as a country, the Chief of Defence forces reiterated the soldiers’ to relentlessly respect the Somali people and fight with discipline as required by the standard Operating procedures and rules of engagement. He reminded them of serious consequences if any soldier committed an offence while in the mission area. He had meetings with senior AMISOM officials, the Somali president his excellence …. And other senior government officials, the leadership of Somali National Forces amongst others. His visit was seen as a big boost to troops as they push Alshabaab further out of Somalia.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:16:10 +0000
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