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Major Awany was a convoy commander
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The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed the death of Maj. Patrick Opio Awany, the brother of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, Richard Todwong, on Monday.
Capt. Ibrahim Ssekito, the UPDF Battle Group information officer, reported that Awany and three other soldiers were injured in an attack that occurred at 1:00 pm on Sunday between Buulo Nagad and Ceel Wareego, Lower Shabelle in Somalia.
“He was a convoy commander. Al-Shabaab laid an improvised explosive device (IED) against his convoy, which hit his vehicle and killed him,” Capt. Ssekito said.
The convoy, carrying logistics, was attacked, and Maj. Awany, who was part of the Motorized Infantry Brigade of the UPDF, died on the spot.
On Monday, Todwong, attending the seven-day Public Service Leaders' introspection retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries, and the top NRM leadership at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, took to the social media platform X to mourn his brother.
“I celebrate my brother, Maj. Opio Patrick Awany. Your dedication to protecting our country was your code, and you approached your duty with unmatched passion. You bravely faced countless battles in the Central African Republic, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Somalia,” Todwong posted.
Richard Todwong's tweet on X
He added that his brother’s life “was tragically cut short on Sunday morning as you served our continent, Africa. May your legacy endure to inspire more heroes. We will forever hold you in our hearts, Patrick. You were a true patriot.”
This attack comes in the wake of a directive by the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) that the troop-contributing countries engage in a drawdown, reducing the number of soldiers deployed to support the Somali National Force and transferring some operations to the Federal Government of Somalia forces.
In May last year, al-Shabaab terrorists stormed a base in Bulo Marer town in Somalia and killed 54 Ugandan soldiers.
Brig. Anthony Lukwago Mbusi, the contingent commander in charge of the UPDF soldiers deployed under ATMIS, discussed the security situation in Somalia with New Vision last month, noting that the area near the capital is critical.
“Sector One is in a critical area. Where we are is the capital city, Mogadishu, and it's where the government business operates. Villa Somalia, the State House of the FGS, is located here. It is also the capital city with the commercial hub, the international airport Aden Adde International Airport, the seaport, and most universities. Sector One, which we control, is also contested politically and with many armed forces,” he said.
Lukwago highlighted the challenges posed by al-Shabaab, a terrorist group fighting to overthrow the elected government of Somalia and establish an Islamist state based on Sharia law.
“These al-Shabaab militants have been a menace. They attack ATMIS forces, SNF, and destabilize the security of the population, causing many to be displaced and recruiting others into terrorism. They use guerrilla tactics, employing vehicle-improvised explosive devices. Once these devices explode, they disorient the target, allowing the militants to get close. This is their major weapon against our forces,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Mbusi noted that despite the unpredictable situation, the UPDF is prepared for any eventuality.
Torch Media Africa
