The Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations ,Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is in Somalia following a deadly terror attack by the marauding Al Shabaab terrorists who attacked a UPDF Peace Keepers Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Buulomareer that left 54 servicemen dead.
Gen . Muhoozi has since met UPDF officers and men at base camp in Mogadishu. Gen Muhoozi said, “I have come to condole with you for the demise of our fallen combatants. Let us have a one minute silence to pray for their souls. May their souls rest in peace and a quick recovery for the injured.”
Gen Muhoozi told the troops that there were mistakes made that led to the terror attack which had been anticipated for sometime. The mistakes which he said were being addressed in order not to have a repeat of unwarranted lose of lives -were both of tactical and external factors.
The Presidential Advisor said that UPDF contingent in Somalia should at all times be on full alert and combat ready even when there is a proposed down sizing of the mission in Somalia by end of next year . Muhoozi warned that withdrawal of operations if not well planned can cause a lot of damage than any other phase of the operation.
Using the Kiswahili word ‘sitasita’, Gen Muhoozi cautioned troops about the dangers involved with hesitation in making firm military decisions which leads to death.
“In war sitasita (hesitation) is very dangerous. It leads to death and eventual defeat. The survivors told me they expected Al-Shabaab attack but they didn’t react until the enemy reached nearer and this broke command and control,” Gen Muhoozi stated.
The attack UPDF base was operating in an agricultural region near River Shabelle .Farmers irrigate their crops using tractors and donkeys throughout the night. This phenomenon led the troops to delay to react and shoot the advancing Al Shabaab – thinking the lights in the gardens were from farmers.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been in Somalia for five days meeting UPDF commanders and staff, survivors of attack who are hospitalized troops at Level 11 hospital.
He has also visited Somali state house where he met the President of the Federal Government of Somalia H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
