Ugandan President Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has revealed the number of national army Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers killed in an attack on a UPDF base in Somalia where they were part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Since the Buulo Mareer Base attack happened towards the end of last month, it was not clear how many Ugandan soldiers had been killed.
Some reports had put the figure at somewhere between 100 and 200 fatalities.
There had also been speculation on the level of weakness in the Ugandan base, with some commanders accused of sleeping on the job, negligence and corruption.
Concerns had also arisen on the susceptibility of the base, with more attacks expected after the major one.
But Museveni has now revealed that the UPDF soldiers have regained control of the base and repulsed Al-Shabaab attackers who had returned with the intention of causing further damage.
“Our soldiers demonstrated remarkable resilience and reorganized themselves, resulting in the recapture of the base,” Museveni said after addressing his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus.
“These terrorists attempted another ill-fated attack on Baraawe Town, but our forces dealt a significant blow, forcing them to flee.”
Museveni has also confirmed that 54 UPDF soldiers were killed in the raid on the camp.
He blamed the attack on the failures by two commanders who directed a retreat. These are expected before a military court soon.
“We discovered the lifeless bodies of fifty-four fallen soldiers, including a Commander,” he announced.
“The mistake was made by two commanders, Maj. Oluka and Maj. Obbo, who ordered the soldiers to retreat. They have been apprehended and will face charges in the Court Martial.”
It should be remembered that following the attack on the UPDF base, President Museveni sent his trusted and war-hardened general to assess the situation and advise on a way forward. (See Details Here).
Museveni would later furiously spill dirty secrets, revealing that corrupt UPDF bosses had sent their personal assistants and bodyguards to the Somalia Mission for Shs38m. (Read Details Here).
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