The Tower Post
Thursday April 28, 2022
The Minister of State for Defence in Charge of General
Duties Hon. Jacob Oboth has met the Assistant Secretary General and Head of
United Nations Support Office for Somalia (UNSOS) His Excellency Lisa
Filipetto.
The meeting which took place on Thursday April 28th was held
at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
At the meeting, Hon. Oboth and H.E Filipetto shared matters
regarding the importance of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia
(ATMIS) and UNSOS in supporting a Somali- led peace and security process in
Somalia.
Uganda is a Troop Contributing Country to ATMIS and UPDF
forms the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU), which protects the United Nations
(UN) facilities and Personnel in Somalia while UNSOS is a United Nations office
in Somalia that provides logistical support to ATMIS.
Hon Oboth re-echoed Uganda’s appreciation to UNSOS for the
logistical support extended to ATMIS, formerly African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM) since 2012.
“Your Excellency Madam Lisa, your visit to Uganda is
considered another testimony of the United Nations continued support to the
regional and sub-regional efforts in search for peace in the world,” Hon Oboth
noted.
He reassured H.E Filipetto of UPDF’s continuous effort in
supporting a Somali led peace and security process.
“We are still committed to do even more. What touches an
African touches us all. Any danger to Somalia, is a danger to us all,” noted
Hon Oboth. “This is our Pan-Africanism spirit and we can do this anywhere,” he
reiterated.
In attendance was also the State Minister for Foreign
Affairs Hon. Okello Oryem. In his remarks, he applauded UPDF’s enormous
sacrifice in Somalia.
He assured the representatives from UNSOS that Uganda is
ready for the next stage of her responsibility in Somalia until the last day.
“There is nothing more important than security. For national and regional
security, it is important that Somalia is pacified,” Hon. Oryem emphasized.
H.E Filipetto, in her remarks, recognized and commended the
ultimate sacrifice made by UPDF in Somalia.
She observed that logistical support to ATMIS, effective and
efficient transfer of security responsibilities from ATMIS to Somali the
National Security Forces need unity of purpose from the Federal Government of
Somalia (FGS), International Partners, Troop Contributing Countries and the UN.
“The ultimate vision is for Somalia to take over. We have to work together, we
have to stay firm in this partnership, and we have to be committed to this
security transition process. If we can be solid in our partnership, and work constructively
with the Somali National Security Forces to enable them to do what they have to
do, that will be helpful,” remarked H.E Filipetto
Both parties concurred that commitment to a shared vision,
timely planning and communication will help deliver the mandate of ATMIS in its
expected duration which is April 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.
The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Secretary of
Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Ms. Rosette Byengoma, Under Secretary
Finance and Administration Ms. Edith Butuuro, UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen
Leopold Kyanda, UPDF Military Advisor to the United Nations based Maj Gen
Silver Kayemba, and the Chief of Staff Land Forces Brig Gen Bob Ogiki, among
others Chiefs and Directors of UPDF.