Somalia– The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) in Somalia, H.E. El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, has commended the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for exemplary community engagement and people-centred peacekeeping as they marked the 45th Tarehe Sita Anniversary across various sectors in Somalia.
Speaking in Mogadishu during activities organised by UPDF troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), H.E. Diene lauded the force for initiatives that included free medical services, cleaning and fumigation of the Marine Market, and tree-planting exercises. He described the activities as practical demonstrations of civilian-focused peacekeeping.
“I commend the outstanding engagement of Uganda in providing peace and stability in Africa as a whole. The men and women of the UPDF have written a chapter of courage, sacrificing their lives to stand with the Somali people at a critical moment,” H.E. Diene said.
The SRCC further applauded the UPDF for their courage, resilience and commitment to Pan-Africanism, urging Africans to reflect on Tarehe Sita as a symbol of unity, peace, security, stability and socio-economic transformation.
The Acting AUSSOM Force Commander and Sector One Commander, Brigadier General Jackson Kayanja, highlighted the transformation of the UPDF from a liberation force into a professional, people-centred army that continues to make significant contributions to regional peace and stability, particularly in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
“As we draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the past in safeguarding Uganda’s peace and security, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting peace and stability in Somalia, free from Al-Shabaab, while promoting national development,” Brig Gen Kayanja said.
As part of the Tarehe Sita commemorations, UPDF troops in Aribiska conducted a medical outreach in line with the theme, “Defending the Gains of the Revolution and Honouring the Sacrifice of the Freedom Fighters: A Call for National Unity, Peace, and Socio-Economic Transformation.” More than 100 members of the local community received on-site diagnosis and treatment, while food items were also distributed to beneficiaries.
Keywords: UPDF, Tarehe Sita, AUSSOM, Somalia, African Union, SRCC, Community Engagement, Peacekeeping, Medical Outreach, Pan-Africanism
