UPDF Flags Off Battle Group 48 For Somalia Mission

What the report says

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has officially sent off Battle Group 48 for deployment to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, according to Watchdog Uganda. The contingent completed pre-deployment training at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre in Singo, Nakaseke District before the flag-off ceremony.

Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the Deputy Commander Land Force, addressed the troops and urged them to work as a disciplined and united team. He warned against misconduct, stressed that soldiers’ behaviour would reflect on the UPDF, and cautioned them to avoid inappropriate use of social media, which he said can create security and readiness risks. He also encouraged the contingent to maintain good relations with local communities during the mission.

Col Moses Nabaasa, the commandant of IPSO-TC, told the troops to carry the values of military service into the mission area. He highlighted discipline, patriotism and the purpose of the deployment, saying the training goal was to prepare the unit for a Pan-African peace support role. Senior and junior officers attended the ceremony.

The deployment reflects Uganda’s continued role in regional peace operations in Somalia. More broadly, such missions are part of ongoing African Union security efforts in the country, where stability and support for local security forces remain key priorities.