President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has finally revealed the total number of UPDF soldiers killed in the recent raid by Al-Shabaab terrorists when they attacked ATMIS Forward Operating Base in Buulo Mareer town, some 120 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia.
While updating the ongoing NRM Party Parliamentary Caucus’ retreat at the National Leadership Institute-Kyankwanzi on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, President Museveni, also the Commander in Chief of all the armed forces, said 54 soldiers, including a commander, were killed during the raid.
“Before responding to very pertinent questions raised by members of the NRM parliamentary caucus, I updated them on the incident in Somalia. We discovered the lifeless bodies of fifty-four fallen soldiers, including a commander,” said Gen. Museveni.
He also confirmed that the mistake in Somalia was made by two commanders, Maj. Oluka and Maj. Obbo, who ordered the soldiers to retreat.
According to the president, the UPDF commanders have been apprehended and will face charges in the military court martial.
“Our soldiers demonstrated remarkable resilience and reorganized themselves, resulting in the recapture of the base. These terrorists attempted another ill-fated attack on Baraawe Town, but our forces dealt a significant blow, forcing them to flee,” said Gen. Museveni.
Recently, the President tasked the Commander Land Forces of the UPDF, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, together with other officers to investigate what could have caused the attack.
Over 800 Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked and overran the ATMIS Forward Operating Base in Buulo Mareer town, some 120 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, which was manned by UPDF soldiers.
4,880 total views
