UPDF soldier killed in Somalia

Jan 06, 2009

ONE UPDF soldier in the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was killed yesterday when militants attacked their convoy.<br>

By Henry Mukasa

ONE UPDF soldier in the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was killed yesterday when militants attacked their convoy.

According to a statement issued by AMISOM spokesperson Maj. Ba-Hoku Barigye, another soldier was injured in the attack.

“This morning at about 7:45am, an AMISOM convoy was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device adjacent to the offices of immigration on K4-Airport road. The convoy was on routine duties of mine-sweeping the street.

“As a result of the explosion, one soldier was killed, while another was injured. Both are from the Ugandan contingent,” Barigye said.

“AMISOM condemns these cowardly, barbaric and unwarranted attacks on its troops who are genuinely carrying out an international peacekeeping mission. Such attacks, perpetrated by the enemies of peace, are intended to undermine the peace process which is gaining momentum,” he said.

AMISOM, Barigye added, calls on all peace-loving Somalis to join in condemning and isolating elements opposed to peace, security and stability in Somalia.

“These acts will neither deter nor intimidate AMISOM from continuing to help in the reconciliation and dialogue process in order to attain everlasting peace in Somalia.”

However, international relations minister Henry Okello Oryem on Monday said Uganda was reviewing AMISOM’s role.
He said consultations were ongoing to assess the magnitude of the risk facing the UPDF soldiers following the pull-out of Ethiopian forces from the volatile country.

Defence minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga and the chief of defence forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, met their counterparts in Burundi over the weekend.

Only Uganda and Burundi have sent forces to Somalia, accounting for the 3,000 forces serving on the mission there. Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa had pledged to contribute forces towards that mission but have not met their pledges.

In May 2006, four UPDF soldiers were killed and five were injured when they were hit by a roadside bomb. This brings to seven the number of Ugandan soldiers killed in the war-torn country since 2006.

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