UPDF loses 10 soldiers in Somalia attack

By Edward Anyoli

The army has released names of 10 soldiers who were killed in the Al-Shabaab Somalia attack on Tuesday.

“The names of the dead will be published now that the next of kin have been notified as per our policy,” Army spokesperson Maj. Paddy Akunda said on his twitter account.

The 10 peacekeepers , whose bodies were returned today are:

Leutenant David Etua Ondoma

Sergeant Charles Outa

Sergeant Charles Ojange

Sergeant Eddy Kakaire

Sergeant Abubaker Mugumya

Sergeant Emmanuel Wanyama

Lance Corporal Andrew Engema

Lance Corporal Phinius Ochowun

Private Isaac Okidi Lotyang

Private Geoffrey Kintu​

The army this afternoon clarfied that 10 and not 12 had been killed. Earlier, army spokesman Paddy Ankunda had indicated that 12 had been killed, with 10 bodies returning today and two tomorrow.

Brig Leo Kyanda, the Chief of staff Land Forces, read a message from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) who led the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) senior officers bringing home the remains of the fallen soldiers.

 “This attack is a game changer, Al-shabaab can only expect an appropriate response from UPDF.We will not relent in our efforts to help in the pacification of Somalia despite the attack,” Ankunda said.

According to Maj Henry Obbo, the deputy spokesperson of UPDF, General Katumba, flew to Somalia on Wednesday to assess the situation at their military base at Jannaale.

The attack involving a car bomb took place about 5:30am at a base 120 kilometers south of the capital, Mogadishu.

The head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia -UNSOM, Nicholas Kay, said that the United Nations remains resolute in its support for the Somali people.

FULL MESSAGE BY CDF

Today we are receiving of our fallen Heroes who perished in Somalia on September 1, 2015 in an attack that was bravely and successfully thwarted by our Forces. 

These gallant fighters that regrettably passed on were part of a very strong team that heroically denied Al Shabaab its intended final target of gaining ground at Janaale which had been liberated by AMISOM forces on February 14, 2013, to allow people rebuild their livelihood and Country.

They (AMISOM troops) fell as they fearlessly made a huge contribution towards the world’s cause of liberating humanity from terrorism. Uganda, Africa and the world will remember their enormous sacrifices.

There is no greater sacrifice than that of one’s own life for a just cause, like the fallen AMISOM comrades made.

The UPDF appreciatively receives the message from the Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and head of AMISOM, Maman S. Sidikou who commiserated with the government and the people of Uganda on the losses suffered during the attack and praised the heroism of the peacekeepers who were killed during the attack, noting that they have paid a worthy price while serving the people of Somalia.

The UPDF sends its condolences to the bereaved families, AMISOM fraternity and to all Ugandans upon the loss of these dear Heroes and wishes a quick recovery to the injured. 

Such attacks by Al shabaab on civilians and probing attacks on AMISOM units gives us more reason to pursue and totally defeat them just as we have defeated them in major towns like among others Mogadishu, Afgooye, Marka, Balcad, Jawher, Buurhakaba, Balidoogle, Baidoa and Barawe.

UPDF will continue to stand with the People of Somalia and the collective efforts to rid Somalia and the entire region of terrorism will not be cowed by such acts.