Somalia: UPDF Battle Group 45 Conducts Leadership Training To Enhance Operational Effectiveness In Barawe

What the report says

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Battle Group 45 has held a leadership training session for commanders and key staff at its headquarters in Embresso, Barawe, according to Watchdog Uganda. The exercise was conducted under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and was designed to strengthen command capacity and improve operational effectiveness in the Barawe Sector.

The session brought together Forward Operating Base commanders, their staff, and other key personnel. Battle Group 45 Commander Col. Justus Musenene said officers need to work within the mission mandate in order to meet operational goals while maintaining trust among the population they are tasked to protect. He also encouraged continual professional development as part of building stronger leadership and a more effective force.

Lt. Col. Geoffrey Ochan, commanding officer of the 145 Infantry Battalion, told participants to prioritize health and personal well-being, saying both are important for readiness and service delivery. The training topics included command and control, military discipline, decision-making, officership fundamentals, food safety, personal hygiene, and the responsible use of social media during military operations.

Watchdog Uganda reported that participants said the session improved their leadership knowledge and operational awareness. More broadly, the report reflects the role of training in mission-based military deployments, where discipline, command structure, and personnel welfare are often treated as central to stability operations.