Somali National Army Special Forces complete training in Uganda

The Minister of Defence of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Abdikadir Mohamed Nur (Jama) closed a training for a special force of the Somali National Army in Uganda, on Friday.

The group was passed out at 206 Commando Brigade Training Centre in Kiruhura district. 

The Minister urged the trainees to be the defenders of the Somali people and to continue the fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorists as their colleagues have been doing for the past months.

The Minister thanked the government and the people of Uganda for supporting the Somali people and its army.

The Ugandan  Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veteran Affairs, Oleru Huda, who officiated at the graduation on Friday, May 19 congratulated trainees and noted that the acquired skills are crucial in countering terrorism and executing special tasks geared at pacifying Somalia.

In her brief remarks, Olero said that training together strengthens bilateral defence and security cooperation between Somalia and Uganda.

“SNA training helps to promote regional peace and security since it enhances the building of capacity. The role of securing critical installations will only be successful if you all practice what has been taught at all levels of command as you fight for the African cause I implore you not to betray their country and continent,” said Hon Huda according to a release from the UPDF.

Huda also commended both Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of for promoting Pan-Africanism, regional peace and security.

The UPDF Joint Chief of Staff (JCOS) Major General Leopold Kyanda, representing the Chief of Defence Forces General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, appealed to the SNA Special Forces to maintain conscious discipline, follow the correct ideology, teamwork, be patriotic, committed and frugal, among others; for the total liberation of Somalia.

He urged SNA troops to stand on the Tripartite doctrine; which stipulates that any assistance must be built on the doctrine of building internal capacity to defend the country. “You need to be trained and be ideologically upright to achieve what is required,” he emphasized.

Kyanda remarked that unity is the foundation of any military and called for a campaign against sectarian tendencies, mentioning that these derail development. “When we leave Somalia, we know that we have left behind a strong force to look after Somalia and one that can develop your country,” he told the trainees.