Arbiska, 9 March 2026 – The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Amb. El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, visited Arbiska Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Sector One on Monday. He was accompanied by Senior Mission Leaders, including Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Police Commissioner, AIGP Hillary Sao Kanu, Sector One Commander, Brig. Gen. Jackson Kayanja, and Acting Head of Mission Support, Maxmilian Okech. The delegation aimed to assess troop welfare and operational readines.
During the visit, the delegation met with commander, senior officers and troops at Arbiska FOB, the headquarters of AUSSOM Uganda Battle Group 46 (BG46), deployed to the area since December 2025.
The Commander of BG46, Col. Saul Nabimanya, briefed the delegation briefed the delegation on the operational situation in his area of responsibility and later took the officials on a guided tour of the FOB defences.
“Securing the Main Supply Roads, therefore, forms part of our major tasks to ensure the freedom of movement and the safety of logistic convoys in Lower Shabelle, like Ceel Jaale and Janaale,” said Col. Nabimanya.
SRCC commended the troops for their professionalism and selfless efforts, despite the challenges, in supporting the African Union’s mandate for peace, security and stability in Somalia.
“I am extremely impressed by the job you are doing. Uganda today is essential to what is happening here in Somalia. You have been at the forefront of every action here, and you have also been paying an unbelievable price and making sacrifices to achieve that,” said Amb. Diene.
In his remarks, Lt. Gen. Kavuma, praised the commanders and troops for their dedication in countering Al-Shabaab and protecting civilians.
“We thank you for the great work you are doing, and we urge you to continue. On my part, as Force Commander, I will always support you the way I can,” said Lt. Gen. Kavuma, adding that the mission’s senior leadership visit had boosted the troops’ morale.
