Last week, a UPDF forward operating base in Buulo Mareer, located about 120km southwest of Mogadishu in the Lower Shabelle region, was attacked by Al Shabaab militants. The assault resulted in intense clashes between the UPDF and the militants, with the base eventually being overrun. Several Ugandan soldiers lost their lives in the attack, while others were captured as prisoners of war.
The African Union’s Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Ugandan army have chosen to withhold specific details about the attack and the number of casualties, leaving information scarce. However, President Museveni has recently provided some insights into the incident.
President Museveni, in a statement released on Saturday night, revealed that Ugandan soldiers at the base experienced panic during the attack. He acknowledged that the forward operating base possessed sufficient equipment to effectively counter the attackers. The defenses were described as strong, albeit guarded by light weapons, including two tanks, two 14.5mm anti-aircraft guns, and a 107mm Katyusha rocket launcher. However, some soldiers did not perform as expected and their panic disrupted the defense, allowing Al-Shabaab to seize control of the base and cause damage to the equipment.
During a subsequent statement on Thursday, the president emphasized that mistakes had been made, resulting in the loss of the base. He indicated that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the details, pointing to corruption as a significant factor. Maj Okia, who is now under arrest, allegedly instructed soldiers to flee after the militants’ attack. It was noted that Maj Okia had previously worked in the army shop.
Earlier in the week, President Museveni accused certain UPDF commanders of deploying their relatives and support staff, including cooks, to Somalia. He expressed concern that some individuals responsible for organizing deployments were creating ad hoc units instead of integral combat units. Museveni stated that these practices would be thoroughly investigated, highlighting the danger of deploying individuals who prioritize personal gain over the mission’s objectives. He further mentioned suspicions of corruption among newer members of the army, citing the substantial allowances provided by the UN in Somalia. Allegedly, some personnel involved in the selection process were not adhering to the appropriate criteria.
President Museveni underscored that deployments had previously been carried out by selecting personnel from combat units. However, at some point, this approach was abandoned, and commanders began deploying their relatives and acquaintances. He attributed this decision to the belief that Al-Shabaab had remained relatively quiet for a prolonged period. Museveni criticized the practice of sending individuals without the necessary qualifications or commitment on combat missions, referring to them as “welfare cases.” He acknowledged that internal weaknesses rather than Al-Shabaab were the primary cause of the incident, emphasizing the need to address these issues. Museveni expressed remorse for the loss of life and criticized the mercenary mindset focused on selfishness and monetary gain, calling for a change in attitude and adherence to the principles of the National Resistance Army (NRA).
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