ARMY – KMAUPDATES

Aug52020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Uganda Air Force officer remanded for killing commander

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda --- The General Court Martial in Makindye yesterday remanded a Uganda People’s Defence Air Force(UPDAF) officer for shooting dead his commander. Lance Corporal Max Omutojo was in May denied a pass leave to attend an emergency and in reiteration, he picked a gun and shot dead his superior. On Tuesday, Omutojo, a section commander was arraigned before the army court chaired by Lt.Gen.Andrew Gutti and charged with the murder of his commander, Maj.Sulaiman Wafula, a former officer in charge of Garrison at the Nakasongola Air Force wing. Lance Corporal Max Omutojo appearing to the court martial in Makindye on Tuesday. Prosecution led by Capt.Ambrose Baguma told the court that the incident happened on May, 3, 2020. It is alleged that the incident happened when the...

Aug12020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

UPDF names Brig. Gen. Byekwaso the new army spokesperson

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda ---The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) has appointed Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso as the new army Spokesperson replacing Brig. Richard Karemire who has been assigned to EAC Secretariat as Defense Liaison Officer. Brig. Gen. Byekwaso is a military officer, who serves as an elected member of parliament representing UPDF in the 10th Parliament (2016–2021). She was born on 29 December 1971, in the Central Region of Uganda. She attended St. Mathias Kalemba Senior Secondary School, in Nazigo, Kayunga District, for both her O-Level and A-Level studies. Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso, The new Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) the new army Spokesperson. Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/ KMA Updates. Her first degree, a Bachelor of Business Administration, was awarded by Maker...

Jul222020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Uganda deploys combat aircraft to support peacekeeping operations in Somalia

AFRICA

KAMPALA -- The Ugandan military on Tuesday announced it will deploy combat aircraft to support peacekeeping operations in war-torn Somalia. Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) aircraft will offer support to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) ground troops in the Horn of African country, military spokesperson Richard Karemire said. The Updf is deploying air assets to the operation theater in Somalia. This will offer the ground AMISOM Forces the necessary firepower and enhance intelligence ,surveillance and reconnaissance capacity; Brig Karemire Army spokes person Via tweet. AMISOM comprises troops drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti covering south and central Somalia. Uganda has over 6,000 troops serving under AMISOM.

Jul142020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

AMISOM Statement on death of former Prime Minister Hassan Abshir Farah

AFRICA

Mogadishu, 14th July, 2020—The African Union Mission in Somalia has learnt with deep sadness the passing of Hassan Abshir Farah, who was Prime Minister of Somalia from 2001-2003. The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira said: “Today, we join the people of Somalia in mourning the passing of the former Prime Minister, Hassan Abshir Farah. The death of the former Prime Minister is an immense loss to the people of Somalia. Mr Farah had a wealth of experience and an impressive record of dedicated service to the country. Over a remarkable career, he served his country as Mayor of Mogadishu, Minister of Fisheries, Prime Minister, and as a Member of Parliament. His work to improve t...

Jul132020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Fire aboard ship at Naval Base San Diego leaves 21 injured

INTERNATIONAL

SAN DIEGO — Twenty-one people suffered minor injuries in an explosion and fire Sunday on board a ship at Naval Base San Diego, military officials said. The blaze was reported shortly before 9 a.m. on USS Bonhomme Richard, said Mike Raney, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Seventeen sailors and four civilians were hospitalized with “non-life threatening injuries,” Raney said in a brief statement. He didn’t provide additional details. Previously, officials said at least one person was treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire was under investigation. It wasn’t immediately known where on the 840-foot (255-meter) amphibious assault vessel the blast and the fire occurred. The flames sent up a huge plume of dark smoke visible around San Diego. Re...

Jul102020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Parliament calls for investigations on Nsambya barracks status.

AFRICA, UGANDA

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has directed the Minister of Internal Affairs to investigate the state of affairs at the Nsambya Police Barracks in Kampala. The directive was prompted after Hon. Maurice Kibalya (NRM, Bugabula County North) raised a matter of national importance in regard to the living conditions in the barracks. “It is a sad state of affairs as the barracks does not have water or power. If this week there is water, then the following week, there will be no power. These officers are committed to serve the country but their environment is not appealing. We need to look into this matter,” he said. Kibalya added that the children of the Police officers using television and radio sets for learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, like their other counterparts,...

Jul72020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

REPORT: Army supasses police in torture, Uganda.

AFRICA, CRIME, UGANDA

KAMPALA- The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has overtaken police in torturing Ugandans, according to the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) in its latest report on torture. During 2017-2018 period, the ACTV registered 600 cases of torture attributed to police and 443 cases committed by the army.However in 2018-19, the bulk of the torture cases shifted to the UPDF. The latest report shows UPDF committed 440 torture cases in Karamoja Sub-region compared to 14 cases by police. However in Kampala, the police led the 263 torture charts, with 263 cases compared to the 44 cases by UPDF.In Gulu District, police committed 154 cases and UPDF committed 75. This brings the total torture cases by the army to 559 compared to 441 by police. “Many of th...

Jul42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Philippine President pleads for calm after police fatally shoot troops

INTERNATIONAL

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — The Philippine president flew to the country’s volatile south on Friday to plead with military forces not to retaliate following the fatal police shootings of four soldiers, including two officers, in violence the army chief called “a rubout.” President Rodrigo Duterte pledged an impartial government investigation of Monday’s violence in southern Jolo town and promised in a late-night address to military commanders, including army generals, that anyone found guilty will be punished. “Do you want to kill five to six policemen there in the station? What good will it do?” said the blunt-speaking Duterte, who wore a face mask to protect against the coronavirus. Duterte asked commanders to ensure their forces remain calm and added that police, like government...

Jul32020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Vietnam, Philippines denounce China military drills in disputed waters

INTERNATIONAL

HANOI/MANILA - Vietnam and the Philippines on Thursday criticized China's holding of military drills in a disputed part of the South China, warning it could create tension in the region and impact Beijing's relationship with its neighbors. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said China's exercises in the waters near the Paracel Islands were "highly provocative", while Vietnam's Foreign Ministry called them a violation of sovereignty that could be "detrimental" to Beijing's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China scheduled five days of drills from Wednesday near the Paracels according to a June 27 announcement by the Hainan's Maritime Safety Administration. Vietnam has overlapping claims with China over the Paracels. A crewman from Vie...

Jul12020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Trump approves cutting 9,500 troops in Germany

INTERNATIONAL

Washington - President Donald Trump has approved a plan to slash the US military presence in Germany by 9,500 troops, the Defense Department said Tuesday. Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the move, which has sparked concerns in Berlin and in the NATO alliance, is to redeploy the troops and will "enhance Russian deterrence, strengthen NATO, (and) reassure allies," as well as improving US strategic flexibility. The move will cut the current troop level in Germany from about 34,500 to 25,000, Trump's stated goal. Hoffmann gave no details on when the reductions would happen or whether the troops would be redeployed to another NATO country. He said the Pentagon will brief Congress on the plan "in the coming weeks" and then consult allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...

Jun222020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Egypt’s Sisi warns of ‘direct intervention’ in Libya

AFRICA

Cairo - Egypt's president warned Saturday that advances by Turkey-backed Libyan forces on the Libyan city of Sirte could prompt an Egyptian military intervention in the neighbouring country in support of Cairo's ally Khalifa Haftar. Meanwhile, Ankara has urged forces led by the eastern-based Haftar to withdraw from the strategic city for a ceasefire agreement to be reached. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has made major military gains against Haftar's forces recently thanks to increased support from its backer Turkey. The key city of Sirte, which lies some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of the capital, is under the control of Haftar's forces, who last year launched a recently aborted attempt to seize control of western Libya. In a televised a...

Jun132020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Maj. Gen. Kasirye Gwanga finally laid to rest

INTERNATIONAL

KAMPALA — Maj. Gen. Kasirye Gwanga who passed away on Monday was on Friday June 12 been laid to rest at Nkene Village, Manyi Sub-county, Mityana District. Locals were prohibited at from attending the “scientific burial” —forcing them watched his send-off on televisions and other online channels. Maj Gen Kasirye Ggwanga, 68, died at Nakasero Hospital where he had been admitted. Gen Kasirye Ggwanga received a thirteen-gun salute, usually accorded to army officers from the rank of brigadier and above. The army conducted all the ceremonies, including digging and building the grave. The brown coffin, draped with the Uganda flag, was lowered into a white grave. UPDF soldiers lifting Maj Gen Kasirye Gwanga's coffin The UPDF brass band played somber music. Several bigwigs ...

Jun122020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

AMISOM mourn the Passing of the President of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza

AFRICA

Mogadishu, 12th June 2020—The African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, has learnt with sadness about the death of the President of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza. “On behalf of the mission, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the government, the people of Burundi and the bereaved family. Through the Burundi Contingent in AMISOM, President Nkurunziza worked tirelessly with the AU to bring peace and security to Somalia. Like many leaders of the countries that contribute both human and material resources to the stabilization of Somalia, the late President believed in the ideals of a reconciled, secure and prosperous Somalia”, said the SRCC and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira. “The passing of President Nkurunziza is incredibly sad for all of us in AMISOM. Th...

Jun102020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Kasirye Gwanga was a hero, politicians, army praise him

AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda ---- As the country marked the 31st Heroes’ Day, it also lost one of its gallant Officers Maj Gen Wasswa Kasirye Ggwanga, who breathed his last from Nakasero Hospital in Kampala. Several inconsolable mourners including serving and retired army officers, friends, and relatives converged at Nakasero Hospital where he had been admitted for nearly three weeks as news of his death went across the country. Many were broken and could not hold their tears. The late Maj Gen Wasswa Kasirye Ggwanga They remember him in three folds; a committed army officer, a generous Patriot and an environmentalist. Rose Masaba Mutonyi, the Bubulo West MP, who rushed to the hospital after the death of Maj Gen. Gwanga described him as a loyal servant who excelled at executing his dut...

Jun92020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Retired Major General Kasirye Gwanga dies as Uganda celebrates Heroes day

INTERNATIONAL

Major General Kasirye Gwanga has died. He has passed away this morning at Nakasero hopital where he underwent a brain surgery. Last April, there was emerging reports that the Gen was admitted at Mbuya military hospital and later on discharged but the Ministry of Defence spokesperson Brig.Richard Karemire dismissed reports. Controversial retired Maj.Gen Kasirye Gwanga’s health was reportedly improving after undergoing a Craniotomy at Nakasero Hospital where he was admitted in May, however, he was confirmed dead this morning after spending several weeks in intensive care. His death has come as Uganda is celebrating its annual Heroes day which is always marked on April 9th and he is regarded as one of the most controversial soldiers in the history of this country. Major Gen...

Jun82020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

President Kenyatta mourns Commissioner of Police Wachira Mathenge

AFRICA

NAIROBI, 8th June 2020, —President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the family of Police Officer Wachira Mathenge who passed away recently. At the time of his death, Mr Mathenge, a Commissioner of Police, was a Staffing Officer responsible for Logistics at the National Police Service Eastern Regional Office in Embu. Police Officer Wachira Mathenge In his message of comfort to the family, the President described the late Mathenge as a man of valour who displayed integrity and professionalism while discharging his duties. “I have known the late Mathenge for many years and worked closely with him when he served at the Presidential Escort Unit. He was a humble and amiable person whose virtues of hard work and dedication to duty will remain an inspiration to ...

Jun52020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Sudanese Army Officer Dies of Injuries Following Implication in Civilian Death

INTERNATIONAL

A senior South Sudanese army officer implicated in the shooting deaths of four civilians has succumbed to his injuries and died at a hospital in Juba. A source in the office of President Salva Kiir who is not authorized to speak to the media said Lual Okook Wol Kiir died from injuries he sustained during a gunfight involving his bodyguards and civilians on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday. At least three other people died in the shootout in Juba’s Sherikat neighborhood. Residents say the shootings occurred when Wol Kiir, a distant cousin of the president, ordered soldiers and police to open fire on demonstrators. Demonstrator Juuk Thiong Juuk said Wol Kiir, who was also known as Lual Marine, was trying to steal land from local residents. “Lual Marine is tr...

Jun42020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Four South Sudan soldiers shot dead by Ugandan military in contested border area

AFRICA

At least four South Sudanese soldiers were killed by their counterparts from neighboring Uganda over the weekend, a military spokesman said Tuesday. Lul Ruia Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSPDF) said the incident between SSPDF forces and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) happened on Sunday after the two sides exchanged fire in a contested border area in the southern parts of the country. “UPDF soldiers opened fire on our soldiers in Buya and as a result, they killed four on the spot and wounded another,” the spokesperson told Xinhua by phone. The disputed area is claimed by communities of Kajo-Keji county of Central Equatoria state in South Sudan and their neighbors from Yumbe district of Uganda. Koang said the SSPDF soldiers were conducting f...

Jun22020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

President Uhuru commemorates Madaraka day from the State house

AFRICA

NAIROBI, KENYA --- Yesterday, Kenya commemorated 57th anniversary of the Madaraka day. The President addressed the nation from the State house due to the coronavirus lockdown. In his address, the President said; Today’s celebration is taking place in an unconventional manner. For the first time in 57 years, we are unable to celebrate Madaraka Day at a public gathering because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, I will address you from State House. Thank you for joining us through radio, television and through other media to celebrate this day. First, allow me to salute you and to wish you all a Happy 57th Madaraka day; a day our Founding Fathers achieved the right to self-government. We commemorate this day with fond memories of the struggl...

May312020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

AMISOM condemns abduction and killing of health workers and a civilian at Gololey Health Facility in Balcad District

AFRICA

Mogadishu, 31st May, 2020 - The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) condemns the abduction and deliberate killing of seven health workers and a civilian at a local health centre in Gololey village in the Balcad District of HirShabelle State on May 28, 2020. According to local reports, at about 13:00hrs on May 27, 2020, armed men in military uniform abducted seven health workers and a civilian from Gololey Health Facility. Eight bullet-ridden bodies were subsequently thrown on the main road in the area the following day. As Somalia continues to face the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, health workers continue to provide much needed quality health care. They are putting their lives on the line to save others in very difficult circumstances. “I am shocked by the senseless...