Saturday May 17, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – The Deputy Chief of the Uganda Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Samuel Okiding, arrived in Mogadishu on Saturday for an official visit aimed at enhancing military cooperation between Somalia and Uganda.
He was received at Aden Adde International Airport by the Commander of the Somali Land Forces, Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, along with other senior Somali National Army officers.
According to Somali National Television (SNTV), the visit underscores ongoing joint efforts to strengthen bilateral defense ties and intensify the fight against Al-Shabaab, a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by both Somalia and Uganda, as well as internationally.
During his visit, Lt. Gen. Okiding is expected to hold meetings with top military commanders from the Somali armed forces and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), including Ugandan troops. Discussions will focus on coordinated operations against Al-Shabaab and accelerating strategies to restore peace and stability across Somalia.
Uganda, which has contributed troops to Somalia since 2007, maintains the largest national contingent within the ATMIS mission and plays a pivotal role in peacekeeping operations in the country.