The Ugandan mission in Somalia has stated that it will require additional security measures, saying the ongoing troop drawdown will leave the mission exposed to security threats.
Major General Nathan Mugisha, Head of Mission, informed the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament this morning, March 22, 2024, that the embassy currently lacks the necessary equipment to detect security threats and that it will face enormous security challenges as the African Union Mission in Somalia continues to reduce the number of troops deployed to enforce peace in Mogadishu and other areas.
“The security threats faced by the embassy require adequate facilities like CCTV cameras, security scanners, watch towers, and counter-IED electronic jammers to cover their movements,” Mugisha stated.
He also stated that the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the embassy, will have significant security issues and will require more security to staff the embassy and consular office.
Maj. Gen. Mugisha further explained that they are faced with challenges of increased consular services to Ugandans and troops in the mission of Somalis.
He explained that the drawdown plan, which began in 2022 with the withdrawal of 1,000 troops, was expected to continue with the exit of another 2,000 troops in June 2022 and 3,000 troops between September and December 2024. However, these deadlines have not been met.
Maj. Gen. Mugisha highlighted that the next drawdown plan was supposed to occur at the end of September 2024, but due to challenges in troop generation and ongoing front-line activities, the Federal Republic of Somalia requested a pause until December 2024.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is a multidimensional mission (military, police, and civilian), authorized by the African Union and mandated by the United Nations Security Council and AU Peace and Security Council. ATMIS became operational on April 1, 2022.