On Saturday, senior military officials from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and the Somali National Army (SNA) convened at Afgoye Barracks to enhance their collaborative efforts against the extremist group Al-Shabaab.
The meeting was attended by Colonel Sam Kosia Kutesa, Commander of the UPDF’s Battle Group XLII stationed in Aribska, and Brigadier General Huseen Muhammad Cosoble, Commander of the SNA’s Afgoye Sector.
Brig. Gen. Huseen lauded the UPDF’s pivotal role in strengthening Somalia’s security infrastructure and emphasized that ongoing cooperation between their forces is essential to further debilitate Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities.
Col. Kutesa reiterated the UPDF’s dedication to joint military operations and intelligence sharing, underscoring the importance of disrupting Al-Shabaab’s influence within civilian communities.
This meeting aligns with a series of strategic discussions aimed at bolstering joint military initiatives against Al-Shabaab. Notably, in February 2025, senior commanders from the SNA and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) convened in Mogadishu to plan coordinated counter-offensive operations against the militant group.
The UPDF has been actively involved in peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations in Somalia, contributing significantly to efforts aimed at stabilizing the region and curtailing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.