THIS WEEK: CDF Muhoozi calls for joint training of Somali National Army

THIS WEEK: CDF Muhoozi calls for joint training of Somali National Army

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gen. David Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has called for the joint training of the Somali National Army as a way of fast-tracking the pacification of Somalia where Uganda is among the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) in the war-torn nation under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Muhoozi addressing journalists at the army headquarters at Mbuya, said one of the complications of the UPDF mission in Somalia is that the different TCCs are all involved in different training operations of the Somali army. Troops from countries like the US, Turkey are also involved in the training of Somali forces which has led to lack of cohesion among the forces in the country.

He said the joint training by countries like Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi and others would empower the Somali army to take over security of their nation. At the function held at Mbuya, Muhoozi flagged off 1822 UPDF soldiers under the 24th battle group which will be in Somalia for one year. UPDF has been deployed in Somalia since 2007.