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]
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