Photos: Brig Gen Katungi takes up command of Ugandan troops in Somalia
Brigadier General Keith Katungi has formally taken up office as the new contingent commander of Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Brigadier General Keith Katungi has formally taken up office as the new contingent commander of Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Brig Gen Katungi succeeds Brig Gen Don Nabasa, who has completed his one-year tour of duty in Somalia. The handing over took place at a colourful ceremony presided over by Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Land forces, Major. Gen Sam Okiding in Mogadishu on Friday.
At the event, Maj. Gen. Okiding hailed the outgoing contingent commander and his team for their contribution to the mission’s objectives of restoring peace in Somalia.
“So, ndugu (brother) Don, I want to thank you. You have done a wonderful job. I am sure ndugu (brother) Keith, what you need is to be strong. Sometimes strong decisions are painful but also they are necessary because they save the institution,” said Maj. Gen. Okiding.
In a wide-ranging speech hinged on professionalism and discipline, Maj. Gen. Okiding called for teamwork, commitment to Pan Africanism, urged the soldiers to be good ambassadors of Uganda and Africa, and work towards a peaceful exit from Somalia, when the time comes.
Brig. Gen. Katungi is not new to Somalia and brings a wealth of experience with him, having first served in Somalia in 2010-2011 where he was instrumental in the capture of Mogadishu, particularly Bondere and Yaqshid districts, and later in 2016/2017 as the contingent commander of the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU).
In his acceptance speech, Brig. Gen. Katungi, pledged teamwork, to rely heavily on intelligence, maintain good relations with partners and enhance good relations with the local communities which he said is critical for the success of the AU mission.
“We shall aspire to continue winning the hearts and minds because minus the hearts and minds of the Somalis we can’t do much. We are here to help them in the context of pan-Africanism,” Brig. Gen. Katungi said.
The new Uganda contingent commander thanked the UPDF leadership for appointing him to lead Ugandan troops in Somalia and pledged to uphold the Ugandan and AU flags.
“The AU motto is very clear. It is to have an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. So, we are here as Sector 1 Uganda to have a prosperous and peaceful Somalia.”
In his remarks, outgoing contingent commander, Brig. Gen. Nabasa noted that Uganda has always been the flag bearer of AMISOM and urged his successor, Brig. Gen. Katungi to maintain the tempo of operations to enable the mission achieve its mandate.
Present at the ceremony were Uganda’s Defence Attache to Somalia, Maj. Gen. Dr. Lucky Kidega, the incoming Deputy Contingent Commander of Ugandan troops in Somalia, Colonel David Opeero, Battle Group Commanders, Assets and Component Commanders and international partners.
The outgoing commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa (right), hands over a report to the incoming contingent commander, Brig. Gen. Keith Katungi, (left) during the handover ceremony in Mogadishu, Somalia. Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Land Forces, Major General Sam Okiding (middle), hands over the African Union flag to the new Contingent Commander of Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brigadier General Keith Katungi (left), at the handover ceremony in Mogadishu, Somalia. Senior Uganda military officers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) at the handover ceremony in Mogadishu, Somalia.The outgoing commander of the Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa (right) and the incoming contingent commander, Brig. General Keith Katungi (left), sign copies of the handover report at a ceremony. The incoming commander of the Uganda contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) at the handover ceremony. The outgoing commander of Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa, interacts with the incoming contingent commander, Brig. General Keith Katungi, during the handover ceremony. The outgoing commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa (left), receives the African Union flag during the handover ceremony in Mogadishu. The incoming commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Keith Katungi, interacts with his predecessor, Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa, during the handover ceremony in Mogadishu, Somalia.Senior Uganda military officers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) pose for a group photo with Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Land Forces, Maj. Gen. Sam Okiding. Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Land Forces, Major General Sam Okiding (left), presents a memento to the outgoing commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa (right).Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Land Forces, Major General Sam Okiding, speaks at the handover ceremony in Mogadishu, Somalia. The outgoing commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa (right), hands over a report to the incoming contingent commander, Brig. Gen. Keith Katungi, (left) during the handover ceremony. The outgoing commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa, speaks at the handover ceremony in Mogadishu. The incoming commander of the Ugandan contingent serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Brig. Gen. Keith Katungi, speaks at the handover ceremony.
