Brig. Gen. Lukwago appointed UPDF Somalia commander

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Brigadier General Anthony Lukwago has assumed command of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) peace troops in Somalia, taking over from Brigadier General Peter Gaetano Omola. The official handover ceremony occurred at the Basecamp sector one headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia. UPDF is currently part of the African Transmission Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which replaced the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in December 2021.

Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, the current ATMIS Forces Commander, emphasized the need for aggressive action against the extremist group Al-Shabaab as UPDF begins a gradual withdrawal of over 6000 soldiers. Lt. Gen. Okiding stressed the importance of a robust withdrawal roadmap during this critical phase.

President Hassan Shiekh Mohamed of Somalia commended ATMIS and the Somali National Army (SNA) for their swift force generation efforts. He also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda for his contribution to stabilizing Somalia.

Brigadier General Peter Gaetano Omola reflected on the achievements during his tenure, including combat deployment of air assets, implementation of the Somali Transition Plan, sustainability operations, and humanitarian assistance. He highlighted challenges in Sector One, such as inadequate force enablers, poor road infrastructure, and harsh environmental conditions.

Brigadier General Anthony Lukwago, upon receiving command, expressed gratitude to President Museveni and acknowledged the challenges ahead in Somalia. He emphasized the importance of well-planned mission drawdowns and expressed confidence in overcoming obstacles with dedication and resilience.

Both Lukwago and Omola called for unity, cooperation, and coordination among those working towards a peaceful Somalia. Brigadier General Lukwago encouraged open communication, stating his commitment to collective success.

The event was attended by various officials, including Uganda Defence Advisor to Somalia Brigadier General Francis Chemo, Uganda Battle Group Commanders, Partners from Bancroft International Global and UNMAS, and heads of departments in Sector One.

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