KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) –The commanders of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Battle Groups 45 and 48 serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Colonel Dr Justus Musenene and Colonel Michael Opio Ocuka, conducted a tour of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the Barawe and Beldamin sub-sectors of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region to assess troop morale and operational effectiveness.
During the tour, Col Musenene emphasised the importance of vigilance, discipline and proper maintenance of military equipment.
He commended Battle Group 45 troops for their dedication and achievements during their tour of duty.
Col Opio Ocuka praised the outgoing battlegroup for their accomplishments, noting that their performance had set a benchmark for the incoming Battle Group 48.
“You have set a good pace for us to follow,” he said.
The commanders were accompanied by the Battle Group 45 Second-in-Command, Lt Col Morris Twongyeirwe Kyatoko; the Commanding Officer of the 143 Infantry Battalion, Lt Col Donald Naijuka; the Commanding Officer of the 145 Infantry Battalion, Lt Col Geoffrey Ochan; and other senior and junior officers from Battle Groups 45 and 48.

















