The newly appointed Commander of the Africa Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Lt. General Sam Kavuma, has emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to destabilize Al-Shabaab terrorists and enable the people of Somalia to regain peace and stability.
He also commended the notable efforts of various parties, especially the Federal Government of Somalia.
Kavuma made the remarks while taking over as the new ATMIS Force Commander following his appointment in March 2024 by the Commander in Chief, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
He succeeds Lt Gen. Sam Okiding, who was appointed the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF.
Lt Gen Kavuma expressed his gratitude for the efforts of all troop-contributing countries to the mission since its inception in 2007, which has resulted in the liberation of numerous towns in Somalia.
His appointment comes at a crucial moment, as ATMIS is getting ready to phase out its operations and shift to a new mission of stabilizing Somalia.
“I am here to join the team as we implement the transition into a new mission come December 2024. As the team captain, I will head the military components in ATMIS,” Lt Gen.
At the ATMIS headquarters, UPDF troops presented Lt. Gen. Kavuma with a guard of honour upon his arrival in Mogadishu on July 28, 2024.
Key staff officials, led by Maj. Gen. Peter Muteti, Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Support and Logistics, then briefed him.
Lt Gen Sam Kavuma served as Sector One Commander from 2014–2015, overseeing the liberation of several towns in the Lower Shabelle region. He later held positions as Deputy Commander of the UPDF Air Force and Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation in Uganda.
Present at the occasion were Maj Gen Kindu Gezu, ATMIS Military Chief of Staff; ATMIS Sector One Commander; Brig Gen Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi; and senior and staff officers.