Gen. Kayanja Muhanga and Gen. Odawa Agree on curfew along main routes in Somalia

Goloweyn-Somalia: The UPDF Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga together with Somali National Army (SNA) Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, have jointly agreed to enact curfew on the highway (main supply route) from Afgoye to Barawe in lower Shabelle region. No more movement of vehicles and motorcycles at night.

The order shall take effect immediately after commanders on ground harmonise with the local leaders of Marka and Kuutnuwarey districts.

The curfew agreement was proposed on 29th May 2023 at Goloweyn Forward Operating Base (FOB) where the two Generals met commanders and troops serving under ATMIS in sector one. The Generals agreed that by stopping vehicles movement at night will deny Alshabaab use of Vehicle Borne Improvised Devices as a weapon of choice to carry out complex attacks.
The Generals instructed commanders on ground to, “agree with local leaders to put a ban on movement of vehicles and motor cycles at night. This will deny Alshabaab use of vehicles laden with bombs to attack our FOBs.”

Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga is in Somalia to establish the root cause of Alshabaab attack on Bulomareer FOB and eventual overrun on 26th May 2023.

He informed troops that he was in the mission area to investigate and also encourage them to do their due diligence as mandated by African Union. “Our findings will be submitted to Commander in Chief the President of Uganda for the way forward.” Gen Kayanja said.

The CLF reminded soldiers that the weakened Alshabaab use of suicide bombers in vehicles as a weapon of choice is to create shock action, confusion, fear and use the opportunity to raid the bases. He therefore advised them to conquer fear, be bold and aggressive. “It is not that we don’t fear to die. We do. However a well briefed soldier conquers fear and take timely decisive effect on to the enemy to bare.” Said Gen Kayanja.

The CLF team comprises of Col Stuart Agaba; Director Operations Land Forces, Col Elvis Byamukama; the MovCon commander and Lt Col Albert Kashakamba the Director Intelligence Land Forces.

By Ssewanyana Ali