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Outgoing African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) force commander in Somalia, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding has handed over office. 

Okiding, who was recently elevated to deputy chief of defence forces by President Yoweri Museveni, on Monday April 1, 2024, handed over office to the acting ATMIS force commander, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Ugandan Contingent in Somalia spokespesperson Maj Peter Mugisa, in a statement says the deputy special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) and head of ATMIS, ambassador Sivuyile Bam, who presided over the function, called upon commanders at various levels to join hands to realise peace in Somalia.

"ATMIS is at a critical stage where commanders and staff officers need to join hands to cause peace for the development of Somalia," Sivuyile said as he rallied commanders that through co-operation and proper co-ordination among all the commanders and staff, peace is achievable," he said.

Sivuyile thanked Okiding for the job well done and wished him favour in his other assignment back home.

Okiding, quoting Proverbs 4:23: Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts and Proverbs 3:6: Remember the Lord in everything you do and he will show you the right way, said those verses always guide him.

Acting ATMIS force commander Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, pledged to co-operate with all commanders to bring peace to Somalia. He said he will perform his duties as guided by the ATMIS mandate and African Union Motto.

It should be remembered that President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Forces, Museveni, appointed Okiding as UPDF deputy CDF and seconded Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma as the ATMIS Force Commander.

(Courtesy photo)

Okiding replaced Lt.  Gen. Peter Elwelu who was appointed senior presidential advisor.

(Courtesy photo)

In attendance at the handover was deputy Force Commander in charge of support and logistics Maj. Gen. Peter Kimani Muteseti, Sector One commander Brig. Gen. Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, military deputy chief of staff Col. Ahmed Bedid Bileh, head of mission support Gen. Fitser and chief military personnel administrative officer Col Bassie Abdul Sesay, among other guests.