Uganda:- Defence minister in Somalia for talks Monday

Defence minister in Somalia for talks
Monday, 19th September, 2011	E-mail article   Print article
UGANDA'S Minister of Defence, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga is in Mogadishu where he is expected to meet the Somalia president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other senior government officials, according to the army spokesperson, Felix Kulaigye. By Anne Mugisa UGANDA'S Minister of Defence, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga is in Mogadishu where he is expected to meet the Somalia president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other senior government officials, according to the army spokesperson, Felix Kulaigye. Kiyonga flew to Somalia yesterday on a four-day mission during which he would meet the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) officers. He visited the AMISOM main camp in Mogadishu’s Halane neighbourhood yesterday, according to agencies. Kiyonga’s visit to the Somali capital is said to be for assessing the recent military achievements by both the Somali forces and AU peacekeepers. His trip is also aimed at showing Uganda’s continued support for the Somali government, according to sources there. The minister’s visit comes days after the Ugandan infantry commander visited the capital, following AMISOM’s successes against the al-Shabaab militants. Last month, AMISOM pushed al-Shabaab fighters out of their stronghold of Bakara Market in Mogadishu. The insurgents retreated and have since stayed out of the capital.