UN awards 600 UPDF soldiers with medals
Aug 31, 2020
AMISOM |
The United Nations (UN) has awarded 600 Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers with medals in recognition of their contribution to pacify Somalia.
The officers and militants serving under the sixth United Nations Guard Unit six (UNGU VI) in Somalia were recognised by the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres.
According to a statement by the UPDF deputy spokesperson, Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, "The medals are a recognition of the one-year selfless service by the officers and militants in securing the UN facilities and personnel against Al-Shabaab threats."
The award ceremony was presided over on telecast by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia, His Excellency James Swan.
Uganda, Kenya, Djibouti, Burundi, and Ethiopia are the AMISOM troop-contributing countries whose aim is to pacify Somalia. In December 2017, UN awarded medals to 600 Ethiopian soldiers for their role in keeping peace.
As part of the implementation of the Transition Plan, AMISOM has been tasked to secure the remaining few areas under Al-Shabaab, including Main Supply Routes.
The mandate of AMISOM was in July last year extended by the United Nations Security Council resolution 2434 underscoring a gradual and conditional withdraw of boots by 2020. There are over 21, 000 African Union troops in Somalia, with Uganda contributing the largest portion.