The lion of Mogadishu,Brig. Lokech takes over as UPDF contingent commander in Somalia
Brig.Paul Lokech, who has been serving as the second division commander has assumed office as the new Contingent Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia.
The function was held on Tuesday in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, the Amisom base.
Brigadier Lokech succeeds Brig Kayanja Muhanga, who has completed his tour of duty, having served as Contingent Commander for the past one year.
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Speaking at the function, UPDF commander Land Forces Maj. Gen.Peter Elwelu hailed Brig. Muhanga and his team for a job well done and urged the incoming contingent commander to focus on building the capacity of the Somali National Security Forces, ahead of AMISOM’s exit.
“You need to focus on the Somali National Security Forces. It is only the Somalis who can bring everlasting peace and stability to this country. Nobody else can achieve that no matter how powerful you may be,” Maj. Gen. Elwelu stated.
He added; “As UPDF we have made our contribution. We have made extraordinary sacrifices and we have accomplished our mission of creating an enabling environment for the Somalis to liberate their own country.”
Maj. Gen. Elwelu said it was time to help Somalis take the lead in the stabilisation process.
This will be Brig Lokech’s second tour of duty in Somalia having served in the same capacity between 2011 and 2012 .
During that period, Brig.Lokech is credited for a number of battles that broke Al Shabaaba insurgents' backs before the Somalis nicknamed him the "Lion of Mogadishu".
Brig. Lokech has served as Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Russia and also as Commander of the UPDF Second Division, a post he held until recently, when he was appointed Contingent Commander for the second time.
The process of handing over security responsibility to Somalia’s security forces has commenced following a resolution by the United Nations Security Council to downsize uniformed personnel serving under AMISOM to a maximum of 21,626 by the end of this year.
