UPDF Confirms of Seven Soldiers killed in Somalia

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 2119 EAT on Sunday 22 June 2025

At Least Seven UPDF Soldiers Killed in Somalia During Joint Operation Against Al-Shabaab

The Ugandan Ministry of Defence has confirmed that at least seven Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers were killed during a fierce three-day joint military operation to recapture Sabiid-Anole town from Al-Shabaab militants.

The town, located in Somalia’s volatile Lower Shabelle region, had been under the control of the extremist group.

The operation, conducted alongside other African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces and Somali government troops, aimed to dislodge

Al-Shabaab fighters from one of their strongholds. Despite the successful recapture of the town, the mission came at a high cost for Ugandan forces.

The Ministry praised the fallen soldiers for their bravery and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and stability in Somalia.

Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, the Defence and UPDF Spokesperson, confirmed the casualties during a press briefing on Sunday.

He described the loss as a “painful but heroic sacrifice in the line of duty,” and paid tribute to the fallen soldiers’ bravery and dedication.

The soldiers were part of a coordinated offensive involving the Somali National Army (SNA) and troops under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The joint forces succeeded in retaking Sabiid-Anole, a strategically important town that had been under Al-Shabaab control.

The Ministry emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing regional efforts to stabilize Somalia and dismantle Al-Shabaab’s remaining strongholds. Despite the heavy losses, officials hailed the mission as a significant tactical victory against the extremist group.

Uganda remains one of the key troop-contributing countries to the African Union’s peacekeeping efforts in Somalia.

A joint military operation, codenamed “Operation Silent Storm,” resulted in the elimination of 30 Al-Shabaab fighters and the recovery of weapons caches. The operation also involved dismantling numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

During the operation, intense close-quarter combat occurred as the joint forces stormed militant hideouts and cleared underground tunnel networks. The soldiers who lost their lives in the operation were killed during these intense battles.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces, alongside the Somali National Army, conducted a successful operation against Al-Shabaab militants.

The AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, praised the bravery of the joint forces, highlighting their efforts to degrade Al-Shabaab and implement the Somali Transition Plan. This plan aims to eventually hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces.

Al-Shabaab, serving as a major logistical and planning hub for the militant group. This suggests that the area played a significant role in supporting Al-Shabaab’s operations.

The town of Sabiid-Anole had become a strategic location for Al-Shabaab, allowing them to plan attacks, hide weapons and vehicles, and extort civilians at illegal checkpoints.

After securing the town, AUSSOM and Somali National Army (SNA) units began consolidating control and conducting follow-up operations to eliminate remaining Al-Shabaab fighters in the Afgooye District.

The remains of seven Ugandan soldiers killed in Somalia are set to be repatriated to Uganda for a dignified burial with full military honors.

Uganda has been a key player in stabilizing Somalia since 2007, operating under the African Union framework.

The Ugandan soldiers were part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which took over from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2022, with a focus on supporting Somalia’s security transition and gradually reducing foreign troop presence.

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