Uganda Military Chief Warns Soldiers of Relationship With Somalis

The Chief of Ugandan Defense Forces, Gen. Katumba Wamala, has cautioned UPDF soldiers in Battle Group 16 and the UN Guard Unit who are flying to Somalia on Monday against engaging in “any relationship whatsoever” with Somali women and men.

Katumba Wamala who replaced Aronda Nyakairima in 2013 as CDF cautioned male UPDF soldiers not to engage in any relationship, including being intimate with Somali women, as the move could jeopardize the mission.

Female UPDF soldiers were also cautioned not to tangle with dangerous Somali men.

This was during the sendoff ceremony of 1972 troops at the Singo Military Training School in Nakaseke District Saturday.

The Ugandan soldiers under Battle Group UGABAG 16 (1442) and the UN Guard Unit (530) are flying to Somalia to replace UGABAG 13+ and another UN Guard Unit that are rotating out.

They will be in the horn of Africa country for the next one year, under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Human Rights Watch report has accused Uganda and Burundi soldiers serving in African Union peacekeeping troops of rape and sexual harassment of Somali women on September 2014.

Addition information New Vision.