Uganda: Gen Katumba warns against laxity in Somalia
Nakaseke--The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala, has warned against laxity and corruption by UPDF soldiers on peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Gen
Katumba, who was on Friday flagging off Uganda Battle Group 17 to
Somalia said soldiers involved in corruption, especially selling of fuel
and food meant for military operations, would face "tough
consequences.”
The army boss also warned against laxity within the force which he said exposes troops to enemy attacks. Last month, al Shabaab attacked a UPDF base in Janele, Southern Mogadishu, and killed 19 soldiers. President Museveni blamed the attack on laxity of UPDF soldiers. "We are telling our soldiers to be on maximum alert. The al Shabaab are terrorists who do not mind about life and strike at a time you least expect,” he said.
Ugabag 17, which is the biggest battle group ever to deploy in Somalia with 2,777 soldiers, was in South Sudan until early this year. The battle group is commanded by Col Bob Ogik.
By Dan Wandera
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala addressing the press recently. File photo
A number of UPDF soldiers, including
senior officers, have been on trial before the UPDF court martial for
selling soldiers’ food and fuel. " All the supplies, including the food
rations, fuel and ammunition, cannot be exchanged for anything. The
response will be tough once you are implicated. This will be the same
case with indiscipline,” Katumba said at Peace Support Training Centre
in Singo Nakaseke District.
The army boss also warned against laxity within the force which he said exposes troops to enemy attacks. Last month, al Shabaab attacked a UPDF base in Janele, Southern Mogadishu, and killed 19 soldiers. President Museveni blamed the attack on laxity of UPDF soldiers. "We are telling our soldiers to be on maximum alert. The al Shabaab are terrorists who do not mind about life and strike at a time you least expect,” he said.
Ugabag 17, which is the biggest battle group ever to deploy in Somalia with 2,777 soldiers, was in South Sudan until early this year. The battle group is commanded by Col Bob Ogik.
Uganda: Gen Katumba warns against laxity in Somalia
Nakaseke--The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala, has warned against laxity and corruption by UPDF soldiers on peacekeeping mission in Somalia.