NABBANJA RUKIA
Uganda Peoples defence forces (UPDF) is mobilising veterans to join forces in Somalia.
The army says it is recalling up to 1500 personnel to be deployed to Somalia.
According to the army spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire, the veterans to be selected must meet the required standards to serve.
"They must be medically and physically able. They must be in possession of a discharge certificate from the army and a national identification card," he said.
The new veteran recruits, according to the army, will then undergo a mission training to improve on their skills for a period of not more than six (6) months
Karemire was however dismissive of sentiments describing Ugandan forces in Somalia as mercenaries.
The army spokesperson attributed Uganda’s presence on purely Pan African grounds.
Uganda was the first country to deploy its troops to Somalia in 2007 after a turbulent spell in the Horn of Africa country.
The army spokesperson said the objective this time is to leave Somalia's army better and capable to fight the Al-Shabaab on its own.