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According to a statement from the Ugandan Ministry of Defence, the soldiers died during a three-day siege on a town in the Lower Shabelle region
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By Our Reporter
At least seven Ugandan soldiers have been killed in Somalia, an army spokesperson confirmed on Sunday, as part of the ongoing fight against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
The soldiers were part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is tasked with combating al-Shabaab insurgents.
The latest attacks have raised concerns over a resurgence of terrorism in the Horn of Africa nation, especially as AUSSOM continues to struggle with troop shortages and funding constraints.
According to a statement from the Ugandan Ministry of Defence, the soldiers died during a three-day siege on a town in the Lower Shabelle region. The town was eventually recaptured from al-Shabaab militants.
“Unfortunately, we lost seven soldiers during the battle,” said Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), in a statement.
AUSSOM, which succeeded the former African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), currently has 11,146 troops deployed. However, in April, mission leaders stated that at least 8,000 additional personnel were needed to effectively counter the threat.
Somalia has struggled with terrorism for years. While al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, was pushed onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023 by Somali forces and AU-led peacekeepers, recent attacks suggest a potential resurgence.
In March, militants targeted the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the capital, Mogadishu, further fueling fears of escalating insecurity in the country.
Torch Media Africa
