US Deputy Commander for Horn of Africa praises UPDF role in Somalia

The new Deputy Commanding General for the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa(CJTF-HOA), headquartered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Brig.Gen.William Zana has applauded the role played by the Ugandan army in Somalia under the AMISOM.

Brig.Zana who has just been deployed to Africa from US and is on a familiarisation tour of some East African countries on Wednesday met with the Chief of Defence Forces for UPDF , Gen David Muhoozi at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Mbuya in Kampala.

He applauded Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) efforts to stabilise Somalia through the role played in the elimination of terrorists in the region.

Gen.Muhoozi commended the US government for the role played in creating stability and fighting terrorism in Africa before promising to create more avenues to strengthen the partnership and international relations between the two countries.

The two army generals recommended for force enhancement and sustainability as well as investment in force protection especially in Somalia where the two countries are in limited mission partnership.

Zana also visited the Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC) in Singo and the Uganda Rapid Deployment and Capability Centre (URDCC) in Jinja.

He is on a familiarisation tour of some East African countries including Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti and Ethiopia and will also follow up on the partnership activities especially in the fight against terrorism and peace support operations.

The meeting was also attended by the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff, Maj.Gen Joseph Musanyufu and Col James Kaija the Assistant Deputy CMI in Charge of International Affairs and Defence Engagement.

Uganda through the UPDF is the biggest troop contributing country to the African Mission in Somalia(AMISOM) since 2007.

Other countries with troops in the horn of African country include Kenya, Ethiopia and Burundi among others.