By KT Reporter
Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, the commander of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), has extolled combatants in Awdheegle town in Lower Shabelle region after a fierce battle with the Al-Shabaab.
UPDF troops serving under AUSSOM, backed up by the Somalia National Army –SNA, put up a spirited fight against Al-Shabaab from Thursday up to Sunday, leading to the recapture of Awdheegle town from the terrorist group.
“I commend the brave efforts of our gallant AUSSOM UPDF troops and the Somali National Armed Forces to degrade Al-Shabaab. AUSSOM remains fully committed to implementing the Somali Transition Plan, culminating in the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces,” Lt Kavuma said.
Awdheegle town was taken by Al-Shabaab a few months ago after the decision to reduce foreign forces’ presence in Somalia. This was after the UN Security Council permanent member states stopped their funding because foreign forces had outlived their purpose.
UPDF has been in Somalia since 2007 alongside Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti, and Ethiopian forces, but UN Security Council permanent states such as the US, France, UK, and Germany believed that foreign forces had overstayed the mandate. The decision severely affected the Somali government’s capacity to handle its security challenges following a vacuum created with the reduction in numbers or departure of the foreign troops, including the UPDF.
As UPDF withdrew its forces from formerly peaceful places were swiftly taken over by Al-Shabaab as the Somalia National Army could not match their experience. In response, military commanders in various African countries, as well as defence ministers, converged in Uganda two months ago and recommended that UPDF should deploy all the numbers it had in Somalia because Al-Shabaab had the capacity to recapture the entire Somalia within months.
Awdheegle town was recaptured in the military campaign dubbed Operation Silent Storm, hence marking a major milestone in ongoing efforts to weaken and dismantle Al-Shabaab’s presence in the region. Kavuama said following days of combined armed offensives and sieges, joint forces ejected the town of Al-Shabaab fighters from the town.
UPDF Defense Public Information Office, headed by Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, said during the operation, the forces inflicted significant casualties on the militants, capturing others and recovering weapons, including submachine guns, PKMs, RPGs, sniper rifles, and caches of live ammunition abandoned by retreating terrorists. The Awdheegle town recapture comes weeks after the recapture of Bariire, Sabiid, and Anole towns, consolidating gains by AUSSOM and Somali forces in Lower Shabelle.
Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, Sector One Commander, described the capture of Awdheegle as a significant blow to Al-Shabaab. “This is a major achievement for AUSSOM, the Somali Government, and the local population. I thank our troops for their resilience and bravery that ensured the defeat of the terrorists in Awdheegle town,” Brig Gen Ssemwanga said.
UPDF said Awdheegle had become a strategic base for Al-Shabaab operations, including attacks, concealment of ammunition and vehicles for Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), and the establishment of illegal checkpoints to extort locals. Currently, UPDF and SNA are holding the town and clearing remaining pockets of resistance in the Awdheegle district, Malable, and surrounding areas.
The Operation Commander of the third phase, Colonel Awiny Akena, engaged local elders through a Key Leader Engagement (KLE) to address grievances and community needs. Operation Silent Storm was launched on 10 June 2025, and it has progressed through shaping, decisive, and sustainment phases. UPDF says Operation Silent Storm has systematically reclaimed key strategic towns: Sabiid and Anole on 21 July, Bariire on 8 August, and now Awdheegle, reinforcing efforts to create a safer and more secure Somalia.
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