The bodies of 10 Ugandan soldiers killed in Somalia by militant Islamist group al-Shabab have been flown home.
This follows an Al shabab attack at the Janale base under the control of Ugandan forces,
The army spokesperson Paddy Ankunda said that the attack was a game changer and al-Shabab should expect an appropriate response.
Twelve Ugandan soldiers were killed in Tuesday’s raid on an African Union base in southern Somalia with Al-Shabab claiming it had killed 70 AU troops.
Ugandan troops are part of a 22,000-strong AU force battling the militants.
Ankunda revealed that the UPDF will not relent in it’s efforts to help in the pacification of Somalia despite the attack
“We will not relent in our efforts to help in the pacification of Somalia despite the attack. This attack is a game changer, Al-Shabaab can only expect an appropriate response from UPDF,” Army Spokesman Col. Paddy Akunda stated.
Despite losing most of its key strongholds in south and central Somalia, al-Shabab continues to carry out attacks on the government and African Union troops across the country. The bodies were received by Uganda Peoples Defence Airforce Commander Maj. Gen. Sam Turyagenda and UPDF Chief of Staff Brig. Leo Kyanda on Thursday at the Airforce Base in Entebbe. Brig. Kyanda represented the Chief Of Defence Forces Gen. Katumba Wamala who flew to Somalia to assess the situation.
According to a statement read in Parliament by State Minister for Defence Gen. Jeje Odong, he revealed that 46 Al shaabab terrorists were killed in the battle while two were captured alive. UPDF casualty highest rank is Lt. David Etua Ondama, 5 Sgts. 2 Corporals & privates.
