Uganda's Ambassador to Somalia, Head of ATMIS visit UPDF soldiers injured in Buulo Mareer attack
The Head of the African Union Transmission Mission (ATMIS) Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, together with Uganda’s Acting Ambassador to Somalia, Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Nathan Mugisha, and the ATMIS Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding have visited soldiers recovering at the Level II Hospital following the recent attack on the Buulo Mareer Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Lower Shabelle region.
“Their conditions are improving, and moral is high. We take this opportunity to express both our sympathy and solidarity, and to also condole with the government and people of Uganda for the loss of lives last week,” said Ambassador Souef.
The officials were briefed on the recovery status of the soldiers by the Commanding Officer of the Level II Hospital, Lt. Col. Dr. Godfrey Ssemakula Ngobya. Those in need of specialised care have already been airlifted to hospitals outside Somalia.
Uganda’s Acting Ambassador to Somalia, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Nathan Mugisha, noted that the Uganda troops remain firm in their resolve to fulfill the ATMIS mandate despite last week’s attack on their base.
“We are containing the situation, reassessing, and proceeding as scheduled. The incident will not distract us. We will continue with the Somalia stabilisation processes, supporting the Federal Government, the Somali National Army, and the people so that they can have stability, economic development, and transformation,” Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha said.
The al-Shabaab insurgents attacked a forward operating base (FOB) accommodating Ugandan troops in Buulo Mareer, Lower Shabelle in Somalia, killing 54 soldiers and injuring others before making off with several weapons that had been abandoned at the facility.
However, The Uganda People's Defence Forces regrouped and regained full control of a Forward Operating Bases that was overrun by Al shabaab.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Somalia National Army also recovered weapons that were stolen from the military base.
