Ugandan peacekeepers killed in Somalia

Friday, 29th January, 2010

By Jude Kafuuma

TWO Ugandan African Union (AU) peacekeepers have been killed in a militant attack in Somali capital Mogadishu.

According to reports from Somalia, heavy mortar rounds killed the two peacekeepers, as they matched past the presidential compound, Villa Somali, during celebrations to mark one year since Somalia’s president, Sheikh Shariff Ahmed took office.

However, when contacted yesterday, the army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye confirmed that only one Ugandan peacekeeper was killed but did not mention the name.

“It is true one of our peace keepers has been killed while several others were injured in Mogadishu,” Kulayigye told
Saturday Vision.

Recently, the Government welcomed the UN sanctions slapped on Eritrea for supporting Somali insurgencies and destabilising its neighbour, Djibouti.
At least 11 other people, including civilians, are reported to have been killed in the violence in Mogadishu.

According to reports from Somalia, as over 200 officials were listening to a poetry reading to mark the president’s anniversary, Islamist group al-Shabab attacked on the peacekeepers.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was elected president after the UN sponsored talks in neighbouring Djibouti and declared winner in January 2009.

Al-Shabab fighters used mortars and machine-guns to attack government and AU forces in the overnight shelling.
The Somali president has been criticised for failing to extend his authority over the country, which gave the attackers chance to fight the government.

Also two fighters of the Islamist group were killed in the fire exchange.
The attack comes a day after Djibouti confirmed that it would send 450 troops to reinforce the 5,000 AU force from Uganda and Burundi.

The body of the dead Ugandan was flown to a Nairobi hospital, together with other injured survivors.

“We are determined as Pan African peace keepers to pursue the cause for democratic governance and take charge of peace in the region,” Kulayigye said.