The Observer
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Britain's Africa Minister Mark Simmonds
yesterday toured the Peace Support Training Centre at Singo, in Nakaseke
district, thanking Uganda for its contribution to the African Union
Mission in Somalia (Amisom), and pledging more support. Simmonds is in
the country on a two-day visit ahead of next month's Somalia Conference
in London.
A British army training team is currently conducting the final
exercises for Battle Group 11, which will soon head to Somalia. A
statement from the British High Commission said the centre's capacity
building support for the 6,000 troops, who pass through the centre each
year, would rise from £400,000 (Shs 1.6bn) to £500,000.
The Somalia Conference, on May 7, will focus on how the international
community can help the new Somali government in rebuilding its armed
forces, police, coastguard, justice and public financial management
systems and helping create political stability. Ugandan troops make up
the biggest percentage of the Amisom. The junior minister for Defence,
Gen Jeje Odongo, who received Simmonds, appreciated Britain's support.