This was confirmed by the UPDF commander of land forces  LT.General Katumba wamala while speaking to journalists in Kampala.

Katumba wamala said that the capture of mogadishu is a stepping stone for stabilization of the entire Somalia.

He says that the rebels were seriously hit and they will take some time to regroup in Mogadishu since they lost control of the capital’s Bakara market, nerve-centre of their Mogadishu operations which has been  a crucial source of revenue.

Gen. Wamala said that now the Al-Shabaab has remained with only 10% of the capital while the AMISON has a control of 90% of Mogadishu .

He called for more African peace keepers to be taken to Somalia because the number of the current peace keepers from Burundi and Uganda is not enough to deal with Al-Shabaab.

Although many African Union member states had pledged to contribute troops to the African Union Peace Keeping Mission in Somalia, only Uganda and Rwanda have committed troops to the volatile eastern African nation.

Ultimate Media

The post Uganda soldiers die in Mogadishu battles with Somali Al-Shabab rebels first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

President Museveni

While talking at the 19^th meeting of the International Contacts Group on Somalia at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Museveni said he would prefer extension of the Somali transitional government as AMISOM forces clear the Islamist combatants (Al-Shabab) completely.

He said that the militants will use the chance of the peacekeepers withdraw to destabilize the country that has just seen some significant peace.

Museveni added that Uganda as a member of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) has no other interests in Somalia than the ideological Pan-Africanism.

Museveni’s suggestion was supported by his Somali counterpart, Sheik Sharif Ahmed who said that elections is a thing that every Somali would prefer but there is need for enough time to create a firm platform for that.

The Somalia transitional government is expected to end in August 23, 2011 and all AMISOM peacekeepers are supposed to withdraw before the due date.

By Nabula Baluku

The post Museveni threatens to withdraw UPDF from Somalia first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The new Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, Gen. Carter F. Ham says they would be happy to see more African countries join forces to pacify Somalia, which he described as his “greatest worry”.

Gen. Carter F. Ham addressing Journalists in Kampala

Gen. Ham who was addressing a press briefing at the US Mission (embassy) in Uganda on Wednesday said that participation of more countries in AMISON would bring more capacity and capability to efforts of pacifying Somalia.

“Additional forces by other African countries would also have a symbolic value by making it clear to the Somalis, the region and the international community that African states take AMISON very seriously and that African states are ready to solve matters in Somali,” Gen. Ham said.

Although many African Union member states pledged to contribute troops to the AU led AMISON, only Uganda and Burndi have contributed troops. Uganda has contributed some 4,480 troops to Somalia, while Burundi has about 2,000 troops.

Gen. Ham also appealed to donor countries to fulfil their funding pledges to AMISON in a timely manner to enable field commanders and troops undertake operations smoothly. He said the US will continue to offer logistical and training support to AMISON.

“The priority for the US is to work with all countries to ensure a coordinated approach in helping Somalia stablise and no longer be a safe haven for terrorists,” Gen. Ham said, thanking Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to AMISON.

At the same press briefing, Gen. Ham said the US command will remain stationed in Germany and not on the African continent, despite earlier reports that the US was considering establishing their Africa Command Headquarters in Uganda.

“I would appeal that you don’t judge us by the permanent basing of our headquarters in Africa, but judge us by the sustained relationship and partnership that we have with Uganda and other African countries,” he said in response to a question from one of the journalists.

The US General also said they are committed to helping Uganda defeat the Lords Resistance Army rebels and capture or kill its leader, Joseph Kony who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Gen. Ham who took over as head of the US Africa Command on March 9, 2011 on Wednesday concluded his first visit to Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and other senior commanders of the UPDF.

Ham said he wills later in the day travel to Burundi to meet with political and military leaders as well as visit the AFRICOM training programmes in Burundi. (see the video above for all the details on what Ham said at the news conference in Kampala on Wednesday).

Also see

Africom forges partnerships in Uganda

US completes atlas drop training in Uganda– WBS TV

US trains Uganda air force– NTV Uganda

US Africa Command supports AU peace operations center-AFRICOM

Africom youtube channel

By Gerald Businge, Ultimate Media

The post United States appeals for more African troops to join Uganda and Burundi on Somali mission first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.