KAMPALA.
Uganda is mourning the death of seven of its gallant soldiers killed in war- torn Somalia .
The victims were part of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) peace keepers in Somalia and were killed during a fierce three-day joint operation to recapture Sabiid-Anole town from al-Shabaab militants in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.
According to the UPDF Director Defence Public Information Officer, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye. the soldiers were part of a coordinated offensive involving the Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) troops. The operation, codenamed “Operation Silent Storm,” led to the elimination of 30 al-Shabaab fighters, the recovery of weapons caches, and the dismantling of numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
UPDF teams also recovered a cache of weapons and dismantled numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the militants. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs at the weekend, the AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, praised the efforts of the joint forces.
“I commend the bravery of our gallant AUSSOM-UPDF troops and the Somali National Army.
This operation is part of our continued effort to degrade al-Shabaab and fully implement the Somali Transition Plan, which will eventually see security responsibilities handed over to Somali forces,” he said. The soldiers were killed during intense close-quarter combat as the joint forces stormed militant hideouts and cleared underground tunnel networks where the insurgents had taken refuge.
The Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, described Sabiid-Anole as a major logistical and planning hub for al-Shabaab. “Since March, this town had become a strategic location for the terrorists to plan attacks, hide weapons and vehicles for VBIEDs, and erect illegal checkpoints to extort civilians,” he said.
Consolidating control
Military sources confirmed that after the town was secured, AUSSOM and SNA units began consolidating control and are now engaged in follow-up operations to eliminate remaining pockets of al-Shabaab fighters in the wider Afgooye District. The remains of the seven fallen soldiers are expected to be repatriated to Uganda for burial with full military honours.
Uganda has played a frontline role in stabilizing Somalia since 2007 under the African Union framework. Al-Shabaab, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, continues to carry out attacks despite sustained offensives. In the year 2022, AMISOM transitioned to AUSSOM, focusing more on supporting Somalia’s security transition and reducing the presence of foreign troops over time.