Former UPDF Commanders in Somalia Evaluate Performance

Former commanders of Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) troops deployed in Somalia have started a four-day evaluation process for the successes and challenges encountered in the country almost two decades of deployment.    

UPDF landed on Somalia land in 2007 under the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which metamorphosed into African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) two years ago. Uganda was one the first countries to deploy its forces under AMISOM in 2007 to neutralize Al-Shabaab terrorists who have made the country unruly since the early 1990s. UPDF was later joined by forces from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Burundi, and Kenya. 

However, AMISOM faced a financial setback in 2021 after UN Security Council member states such as the US, UK, China, Germany and France chose to withdraw or reduce financial aid because foreign forces had outlived their mandate.

The UN Security Council member states reportedly accused AMISOM contributing forces of deliberately failing to empower the Somalia National Army (SNA) to handle their security matters so that they could prolong their presence for ages. But this was reportedly vehemently refuted by the African Union. 

After the financial withdrawal, AMISOM was changed to ATMIS but with instructions to ensure a full drawdown in three years. So far Ugandan troops which were more than 6000 have since been reduced by more than half

For more than 17 years, UPDF has been in Somalia and a lot of success has been registered such as pushing Al-Shabaab militants outside Mogadishu, the country’s capital, rescuing the historical Red Sea and neutralizing Al-Shabaab piracy activities on the Indian Ocean which had made transaction of goods from one continent to another almost impossible.

However, UPDF has equally registered several challenges which have majorly been attacks on soldiers with the latest infamous one happening in May 2023 which left 54 soldiers killed by Al-Shabaab. Issues of human rights abuses such as turning females into sex objects, sale of food and fuel meant for troops and disobedience which led to Al-Shabaab successfully running over some bases are the other challenges.

All these are some of the issues being discussed as UPDF and other troops are gradually reducing the presence of their troops in Somalia and final withdrawal is expected to happen before the end of 2015.

Some of the former commanders attending the evaluation workshop at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Singo, Nakaseke include Maj Gen Francis Takirwa currently serving as deputy Land Forces Commander, Maj Gen Don Nabasa, commanding UPDF Third Division and Brig Gen John Patrick Otong, commandant of IPSO-TC.

Maj Gen Takirwa said the evaluation workshop organized under the theme 'Lessons Learned' workshop, is intended to share experiences, address challenges, and refine strategies for future mission success.

Maj Gen Takirwa underscored the importance of evaluating progress and improving methods to reinforce stability in Somalia and the wider region. “It is a privilege to examine what we’ve done, where we have succeeded, and where we can improve,” Maj Gen Takirwa stated.

He added that UPDF’s transition in training leadership is a major milestone. "While training was once fully conducted by external partners, the UPDF has now taken the lead," he added. Brig Gen Otongo affirmed the centre’s dedication to promoting regional peace and security through robust capacity-building.

Other senior Army officers at the workshop include Maj Gen David Isimbwa, now deputy Commander of the UPDF Air Force; Brig Gen Felix Busizori, now Commander of 4 Infantry Division; Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, Chief of Staff of URDC; and Brig Gen Joseph Semwanga.