Military Instructors from Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS); in conjunction with US Africa Command and Bancroft mentors, have passed out 430 Danab Special Forces command graduates.
The colourful ceremony held at Baledogley Military Academy (BMA) was presided over by Somalia Minister of Defence HE Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur. Other dignitaries who witnessed the function included; US Charge d’Affairs Shane Dixon, Somali Chief of Defence Forces; Gen Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyidin, Bancroft Country Director Mr Richard Rouguet, Lt Col Peter Barigye UPDF ATMIS Sector BMA Commander, SNA commanders, among others.
The graduates demonstrated skills attained in VIP protection, Counter Insurgence operations, Quick Reaction to insurgence raid missions and counter explosive ordinance devices.
The training is in fulfilment of ATMIS mandate of empowering and building capacity to Somalia Security Forces (SSF) to take charge of protecting their people and country.
It is also in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2670 (2022), UNSCR (2687) and AU Communique 1068 (2022) and the recently agreed upon Somali Transition Plan by all Troop Contributing Countries.
