UPDF is in Somalia for peace, not treasures, says Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba

Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba , the Commander  of the Land Forces (CLF) has said the UPDF is not deployed in Somalia under the AMISOM for treasures or anything else but rather to ensure peace in the Horn of Africa country.

"Our reason for fighting the Alshabaab in Somalia is peace; we are not there for gold, diamonds, or money. Some people may think like that but our purpose is to help our brothers and sisters achieve peace because we don't want to see them suffering," Lt Gen Kainerugaba said.

The Commander Land Forces was on Wednesday speaking to 2127 troops at the Singo Peace Support Training Centre (PSO-TC) in Nakaseke District belonging to Battle Group 33 and are set to be deployed to Somalia.

Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba hailed the soldiers for accepting the noble call to serve their country.

“I want to thank you for your determination not only to serve your own country but to also serve a brotherly African country (Somalia),” he said.

To drive home his point, Gen Kainerugaba, cited an example of a businessman who sacrifices for his own personal business interest but said on the other hand, a soldier sacrifices his own life for his country.

A total of 1,846 out of the 2,127 that have been undergoing pre-mission training at Singo will be deployed to Somalia earlier next month.

Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to Somalia under the AMISOM in 2007.

UPDF’s deployment demystified the saying that AMISOM was a “dead on arrival” mission before opening the way for other countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Burundi  to send armies in Somalia.

The Ugandan troops control the largest area in Somalia after being deployed in Sector One in Benadir,(has 16 districts) Banadir, and Lower Shabelle regions having pushed Al Shabaab militants for over 200km away from Mogadishu city.