MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a tragic incident on Sunday, a Ugandan military officer was killed and six other soldiers were wounded when their convoy triggered a roadside bomb in Somalia.
Major Patrick Opio Awany, who was commanding the convoy, lost his life in the explosion in Ceel-Werigow, approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The convoy was en route from Mogadishu to Ceeljale in the Lower Shabelle region.
The attack was blamed on fighters from the Islamist group Al-Shabaab, which has been waging a war against the Somali government for more than a decade. The group aims to overthrow the central government and establish a rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.
Uganda, with about 5,000 troops serving in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), remains committed to supporting peace efforts in the region. Ibrahim Kasule Sekitto, a spokesman for the Ugandan troops, stated that the attack would not deter their resolve but would instead strengthen their commitment to peace in Somalia.
Al-Shabaab has been responsible for numerous attacks in Somalia, targeting both government forces and civilians. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and international organizations. The African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia, ATMIS, has been working to stabilize the country and support the government in its fight against Al-Shabaab.
The loss of Major Patrick Opio Awany is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by peacekeepers and the ongoing security challenges in Somalia. The international community continues to support efforts to bring stability and peace to the region, despite the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups.
