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Ugandan troops serving in Somalia celebrate Ugandan Peoples Defense Forces 31 years in existence

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Monday February 06, 2012 - 04:44:27 in Latest News by Super Admin
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    Ugandan troops serving in Somalia celebrate Ugandan Peoples Defense Forces 31 years in existence

    PRESS RELEASE Ugandan troops serving in Somalia celebrate Ugandan Peoples Defense Forces 31 years in existence

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PRESS RELEASE Ugandan troops serving in Somalia celebrate Ugandan Peoples Defense Forces 31 years in existence 5th February 2012 - This week in Mogadishu, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has been celebrating 31 years of existence by extending support to the people of Somalia. In al Dhara, Nerlo and Qartar internally displaced people (IDP) camps, UPDF soldiers provided medical support, distributed clean portable water and cleaned up areas within and around the camps.


Tarehe sita— Kiswahili for the 6th day of February 1981, commemorates the first armed attack on the then Ugandan government forces, in which President Yoweri Musevni led the National Resistance Army (NRA) to launch a guerrilla war that finally liberated Uganda on 26th January 1986. This year the theme of “Regional Integration in Security for Sustainable and Regional development and stability” makes the activities, undertaken in Mogadishu by UPDF soldiers serving in the AU Mission in Somalia, particularly relevant.

Ugandan contingent commander, Brig. Paul Lokech, reiterated the UPDF's commitment to securing the entire country during an address to IDP's in camp Nero. He added that, “During these celebrations, AMISOM will lead by example and demonstrate to TFG forces how important it is to prioritize the protection and security of Somali citizens. This is key to winning the hearts and minds of the people eroding al-Shabaab's network of support."

The AMISOM Civil-Military Co-operation officer Lt Col Katwekyeire Kamurari, who is also Ugandan, said soldiers have distributed 2000 mosquito nets and 100, 000 litres of water in the IDP camps. During an exercise to clean up the camps they also provide general treatment to IDPs in mobile clinics set up and provided de-worming medicine and special nutrition foods to children less than 5 years of age.

Lt Kamurari said: “Through such activities, AMISOM renews its strategic relationship with the people of Somalia," before thanking the Ugandan troops for the good gestures, asking the TFG military to emulate this spirit in order to enhance their relationship with the people.


Attached images by AU/UN IST/ Stuart Price


Captions:

01 Ugandan troops unload provisions at Nerlo IDP camp in northern Mogadishu.

02 The distribution of aid included mosquito nets, clean water and free medical check-ups.

03 A Ugandan doctor advises through an interpreter at one of the mobile medical clinics.

04 An ophthalmic clinical officer checks a woman's eyes for signs of infection and the presence cataracts.

05 UPDF troops organize medical supplies ahead of their distribution to Somali civilians

06 Brig. Paul Lokech, Uganda's Contingent Commander, hands out free mosquito nets to Somali women and children at Nerlo IDP camp.

07 A Ugandan soldier serving with AMISOM keeps watch over proceedings amid tight security in the Somali capital.

08 A young Somali boy collects free biscuits and a mosquito net as part of the week-long Tarehe Sita programme carried out by UPDF soldiers serving with the AU mission in Somalia.

09 UPDF soldiers distribute free potable water to the inhabitants of Qatar IDP camp.

END

--
Paddy Ankunda
Lt Colonel
AMISOM Force Spokesman

Tel: Somalia: (+252) 699 758567
(+252) 618 508181
(+252) 623 80889

Tel: East Africa: (+256) 772696070
(+256) 713914411

Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]



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