By Frederick Kiwanuka

THE African Union has awarded medals to 145 UPDF soldiers from the air defence division who participated in the Somalia peacekeeping mission.

The soldiers, who were decorated at Nakasongola barracks last week, are part of the first UPDF contingent that was deployed in Somalia under the command of Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga.

Presiding over the ceremony, air defence commander Brig. Gen. Gavas Mugyenyi hailed the group for their competence, determination and discipline.

“After stabilising our own home, we make sure that our neighbours have peace as well,” said Mugyenyi. The public relations officer, Lt. Joram Kabegambire, said others will be recognized later in their respective units.

Uganda and Burundi are the only African countries that have deployed in war torn Somalia. A total of 45 Ugandan soldiers have died since the AU operation started in March 2007. Of those, 22 were killed by insurgents, 22 died of natural diseases and one committed suicide.

On September 17, four Ugandans were killed when suicide bombers drove two UN cars into the peacekeepers’ compound at Mogadishu airport and detonated bombs. These attacks would not deter the peace-keeping force, defence minister Crispus Kiyonga told Parliament recently. He, however, said Uganda would ask for a review of the troops’ mandate so as to allow them attack and pursue insurgents.

MPs had earlier expressed concern that there was no peace to keep in Somalia. Al-Shabaab insurgents, said to be linked to al-Qaeda, are fighting the transitional Somali government and the peacekeepers.