AUSSOM Uganda troops commended for discipline, resilience in Somalia

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Battle Group 45 Commander, Colonel Justus Musenene, has commended Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for their discipline, professionalism, and resilience during operations in Barawe sub-sector.

Colonel Musenene made the remarks during an inspection tour of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the area, where he engaged soldiers and their commanders to assess operational readiness, troop welfare, and the general security situation.

Addressing the troops, the commander expressed satisfaction with their performance and commitment to duty.

“I am happy and proud of you. I have not received any issues regarding your work. Thank you for a job well done,” Col Musenene said.

He encouraged the soldiers to continue upholding military discipline, teamwork, and mutual respect, noting that unity and comradeship are critical to mission success, especially in a complex operational environment such as Somalia.

The commander also underscored the importance of personal health and wellbeing, urging troops to take care of themselves in order to remain effective throughout their deployment.

“Keep healthy if you want to serve in the forces for long,” he advised.

Colonel Musenene further stressed the need for vigilance and proper management of military equipment, reminding soldiers that safeguarding mission assets is essential for sustaining operations and achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.

The AUSSOM troops welcomed the visit, describing it as a morale booster in their efforts to protect civilians, secure key infrastructure, and support Somalia’s stabilisation efforts.

During the tour, the commander visited several strategic installations, including the Barawe Runway, the Barawe Seaport, and Barawe Knoll, all of which play a critical role in logistics, mobility, and security operations within the sub-sector.

The inspection team was led by Colonel Musenene and included Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Ochan, Commanding Officer of the 145 Battalion, alongside other senior and junior officers from the AUSSOM Uganda contingent