Beldamin, 20 January 2026 – The Merca District Commissioner, Mr Adam Ibrahim Abdu, has saluted the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) serving with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for helping to restore peace and improve security in the region.
He appreciated the ongoing assistance through joint operations and services such as medical care to the local community. Emphasising that “sharing is caring,” he pledged to continue coordinating and sharing information with security forces to foster peace and security in Somalia.
Mr Adam led a delegation of local leaders and Muslim clerics on Tuesday, to meet and hold discussions with AUSSOM commanders and personnel at the Beldamin Forward Operating Base (FOB).
During the meeting, the Second-in-Command of Battle Group 45, Lt Col Morris Kyatoko, commended the local leaders in the Beldamin Sub-Sector for collaborating with AUSSOM troops and urged continued partnership as the cornerstone of sustainable peace.
Lt Col Kyatoko addressed the leaders and clerics and highlighted that ongoing cooperation among the community, local leaders, and security forces is vital in countering Al-Shabaab extremists in Somalia.
He also called for unity and stressed that only shared responsibility, mutual trust, and collective action can secure lasting peace and stability for Somalia.
Lt Col Kyatoko said that Civil–Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives would help to build stronger relations between the military and the local community, foster unity and promote long-term stability in the area.
The event was attended by senior and junior officers from the UPDF and the Somali National Army (SNA), Muslim clerics, and local leaders.