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MOGADISHU

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has honoured outgoing force commander Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding for his exemplary leadership and steering the mission to success during his tenure.

Okiding is scheduled to depart the ATMIS mission area in Somalia to take up a new position as Uganda’s deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). President Yoweri Museveni recently appointed Okiding to the role in a mini army reshuffle, which also saw the Chief of Defence Forces role go to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Kainerugaba replaced Gen Wilson Mbadi who was appointed state minister.

Atmis farewell to the force commander.

At a farewell event on Monday, April 1, 2024, held at the ATMIS force headquarters in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, the AU chairperson’s deputy special representative for Somalia, Sivuyile Bam, commended Okiding for his stewardship of the multinational African peace support operation.

“Uganda has gained from our loss. As you return to Kampala, we look forward to working with you wherever you are. And we promise that we will continue with your legacy and do the work that is expected of us,” said Bam in farewell remarks.

Senior ATMIS military officers, led by the deputy force commander in charge of operations and plans Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka and his counterpart in charge of support and logistics, Maj. Gen. Peter Muteti, attended the event.

Ngendabanka praised Okiding for leading the ATMIS military component in implementing its mandate even after the troop numbers were reduced and security responsibilities were transferred to the Somali Security Forces.

“We appreciate how he commanded the military component since his arrival in the mission. We highly appreciate his leadership. He promoted teamwork among staff officers at the ATMIS Force Headquarters and across all sectors,” Ngendabanka said.

Confident ATMIS can deliver

Okiding expressed confidence in the ability of the ATMIS military to successfully implement the mission’s mandate during the transition phase. He pledged that ATMIS would continue to benefit from his support when he assumes his new position as Uganda’s deputy CDF.

“My voice will now be heard about Somalia operations. We will fight for this operation, especially in the area of force enablers where we are still lagging behind. And as we continue to draw down, and the force shrinks, we need alternatives. So, I think I will be in a better position to advocate for our operations,” Okiding said.

Okiding took the helm of the ATMIS military command in May 2023 and presided over the successful hand over of 13 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces during the first and second phases of ATMIS drawdown concluded in June and December 2023.

Ngendabanka has taken over interim responsibilities of the ATMIS military ahead of the arrival of Maj. Gen. Sam Kavuma who was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General. Kavuma was the UPDF deputy land forces commander.