Somalia’s recent commissioning of its first-ever female defence cadets is a reflection of a wider development that is progressively bringing more women into command, peacekeeping and reform in national militaries across Africa. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Somalia has, in the past week, commissioned its first-ever female defence cadets. …
Read More »Uganda set to host Somalia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Guinea
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Uganda will host the Group G FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match between Somalia and Guinea at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed it accepted a request from the Somalia football body to stage the match in …
Read More »Over 50 al-Shabab fighters killed in southern Somalia
MOGADISHU | Xinhua | The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) confirmed on Sunday that its troops, backed by Somali government forces, killed more than 50 al-Shabab militants during fierce fighting in Bariire town in southern Somalia on Friday. In a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of …
Read More »UPDF dispatches team to probe military helicopter crash in Somalia
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Uganda’s military has dispatched a team to investigate the deadly helicopter crash that killed five peacekeepers and injured six others in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, a spokesperson said on Thursday. Felix Kulayigye, Uganda’s military spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that the team will investigate …
Read More »SOMALIA: 5 feared dead in Ugandan military helicopter crash
KAMPALA | Xinhua | The Ugandan military said Wednesday that one of its helicopters crashed in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, with five of the eight people on board feared dead. Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan military, told Xinhua by telephone that three of those on board survived, while …
Read More »ATMIS officers asked to utilize Somalia experience to improve police
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Commissioner in charge of Peace Support Operations, Polly Namaye, has urged the 142 police officers who have just returned from mission in Somalia to utilize the experience of serving in the country to improve police service. Namaye, who officially received the officers after …
Read More »CDF to UPDF in Somalia: Do not delay decisions against Al-Shabaab
KAMPALA, UGANDA | THE INDPENDENT | The deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, has warned Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Somalia against delaying decision against Al-Shabaab terrorist. Lt Gen Okiding who is on a week-long visit to UPDF troops serving under African Union Support in Somalia …
Read More »Brig Gen Ssemwanga: UPDF not leaving Somalia soon
Mogadishu, Somalia | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent in Somalia will not be withdrawn soon because they still need to support the Somalia National Army (SNA) and the government to fight Al-Shabaab terrorists, according to Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga. Brig Ssemwanga, who was meeting …
Read More »AU troop-contributing countries urge reinforcement as Somalia’s security falters
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Defense and foreign affairs ministers from troop-contributing countries to the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in Somalia have called for urgent action, warning that Somalia’s security is faltering as the al-Shabaab militant group gains ground. The ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, together with …
Read More »At least 11 killed in terrorist attack on hotel in Somalia
NAIROBI, KENYA | TASS | At least 11 people were killed in an attack on a hotel in the city of Beledweyne in central Somalia staged by al-Shabab gunmen, the Garowe Online news outlet reported. According to Garowe Online, the attack targeted the Cairo Hotel, which houses traditional elders and …
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