Uganda has prepared another contingent of soldiers for deployment to Somalia, reinforcing its military commitment to the African Union-backed security mission amid continuing efforts to stabilise the conflict-hit country and contain the threat posed by militant group al-Shabaab.
SINGO, Nakaseke District (UGNEWSLINE) – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) flagged off Battle Group 48 (BG XLVIII) following the completion of pre-deployment training at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Singo, Nakaseke District.
The deployment falls under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is supporting Somali security forces in combating insurgency and strengthening security institutions.
Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the Deputy Commander of Land Force, urged the troops to maintain discipline, unity and professionalism, warning that individual misconduct could undermine the reputation of the Ugandan military during the mission.
Addressing the contingent, Busizoori stressed that success in military operations depended on collective responsibility and the ability of soldiers to operate as a coordinated force.
“Once you operate as a team, you will win as a team and come together,” he said.
He also cautioned the soldiers against behaviour that could compromise their standing among Somali communities, emphasising that their conduct would reflect not only on the contingent but also on Uganda and its armed forces.
Busizoori further urged the troops to establish constructive relationships with local communities, saying positive engagement with civilians had been an important factor in the success of previous Ugandan deployments.
The military leadership also raised concerns about the misuse of social media, warning that unauthorised online activity could expose sensitive operational information, compromise security and undermine the effectiveness of deployed forces.
The Deputy Commander reminded the soldiers that violating military restrictions on social media use was punishable under army regulations.
Col Moses Nabaasa, the Commandant of IPSO-TC, challenged the contingent to understand the responsibilities that come with representing Uganda in an international peace-support operation.
He referred to guidance from President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, highlighting discipline, patriotism and a clear understanding of military service as essential requirements for the deployment.
Nabaasa said the training had been conducted under the mission statement of preparing the contingent for a Pan-African peace-support mission.
He urged the troops to demonstrate patriotism, teamwork and Pan-African solidarity while carrying out their assignments in Somalia.
“Go for the mission as a Battle Group. You have trained as a team. Fight and win as a team, conduct yourselves with discipline and uphold the values of the UPDF at all times,” he said.
Uganda has maintained a military presence in Somalia since 2007, when it became the first country to deploy troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which was established to support the Somali government against armed insurgencies.
The mission subsequently transitioned into the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) before being replaced by AUSSOM in January 2025.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant organisation, remains one of the biggest security threats in Somalia, carrying out attacks against government institutions, security installations and civilians despite years of military operations by Somali and international forces.
Ugandan troops have played a central role in the African Union’s military operations, particularly in supporting efforts to reclaim territory from the militants and protect strategic locations.
Battle Group 48 is commanded by Col Michael Opio Ocuka. It replaces Battle Group 45 as part of the routine rotation of Ugandan forces serving in Somalia.
The UPDF confirmed the group’s arrival in the mission area on October 10, 2026.
The latest deployment comes as Uganda and other troop-contributing countries continue to navigate the security and financial challenges facing the African Union mission, including the need to sustain operations against al-Shabaab while strengthening Somalia’s capacity to manage its own security.
