Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have carried out a community sanitation exercise and administered COVID-19 booster jabs to local communities as part of a series of activities to commemorate their Armed Forces’ Day.
The day, also known as ‘Tarehe Sita,’ is marked every 6th of February to remember the day the National Resistance Army (NRA), led by Yoweri Museveni, launched an armed struggle to end misrule in Uganda.
On Sunday, the Ugandan AMISOM contingent celebrated the 41st ‘Tarehe Sita’ anniversary under the theme, “Retracing the People’s Struggle for Peace and Security for a Modern Uganda.”
In Mogadishu, the Ugandan AMISOM contingent administered the COVID-19 booster shots to communities residing near the AMISOM basecamp, and also cleaned up the local Marine Market. In Marka and Janaale, the troops carried out a similar clean-up exercise to mark the day.
The exercise in Mogadishu was led by the Uganda AMISOM contingent commander, Brigadier General Keith Katungi who said such community service events are important for building civil-military relations which in turn helps to advance the Mission’s mandate.
“Prior to the 6th of February, we spent a whole week conducting activities that impact on people, and that’s why yesterday we cleaned the ocean shoreline, and today we are in Marine Market cleaning. In the Forward Operating Bases, we are also doing the same,” Brig. Gen. Katungi explained.
Brig. Gen. Katungi noted that being able to celebrate Tarehe Sita in Somalia, together with the local community, is of historic significance, given that Somalia has a lot in common with Uganda.
“You can never liberate people unless you involve them. Unless our operations are all aligned to the people’s needs, the people’s struggles and the people’s need to liberate themselves, then you will be disconnected from their mindset,” Brig. Gen. Katungi further explained.
The contingent commander also held a meeting with members of the local business community and briefed them on the AMISOM mission mandate, among others.
The civilians thanked AMISOM for the cordial relations, saying the COVID-19 booster shots would help safeguard them from the pandemic as they go about their daily activities in the market.
“I thank AMISOM Sector 1 for availing us the COVID-19 booster dose, having given us the two previous COVID-19 doses. I am hopeful the vaccines will help boost our health as well as that of the marine business community, which will improve our business,” said Mohamed Dahir, the Vice Chairperson of Marine Market.
Amina Mohamed Alasow, a resident near Marine Market, hailed the good relations that exist between the local community and AMISOM troops.
“We can never thank AMISOM enough for bringing us the COVID-19 vaccines free of charge and also helping to clean the market for us. Their support will go a long way to improve health and sanitation within the market,” said Amina.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
