Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Ugandan Soldiers Complete Tour of Duty in Somalia

UGANDA ADAPT 2010 by US Army Africa
UGANDA ADAPT 2010, a photo by US Army Africa on Flickr.

Ugandan soldiers complete tour of duty in Somalia

May 21, 2013

Soldiers in Uganda's Battle Group 9+ contingent are returning home after completing a 13-month tour of duty under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Sunday (May 19th), AMISOM announced in a press release.

The soldiers were presented with peacekeeping medals at a ceremony at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport, attended by senior AMISOM officials and Ugandan contingent commander Brigadier General Michael Ondoga.

Since April 2012, Ugandan troops have helped expand territorial gains from Mogadishu, increasing the area of Somali government control to 120 kilometres, spanning from Maslah to Jowhar and Huriwa to Port Elman.

The expanded area of security has set the stage for infrastructure improvements, economic development, and the return of internally displaced persons to their homes. Free medical treatment has been extended, and road repairs, improvements to clean drinking water provision and returns to large scale farming have begun, AMISOM said.

Battle Group 9+ has been replaced by Battle Group 11+, under the command of Colonel Hassan Kimbowa.

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