The body of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier, Maj. Patrick Awany who was killed by a roadside bomb in Somalia was on Thursday evening been received at Entebbe Military Airbase.
Packed in a casket, Maj. Awany’s remains were received by the senior UPDF officers, friends and close relatives.
Awany died while serving under the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The fallen Maj. Awany who was posthumously promoted from the rank of Major is a brother to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, Richard Todwong and UPDF Reserve Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Charles Otema Awany.
Reports indicated that Awany met his death after the vehicle he was travelling in got hit by an Improvised Explosive Device in Somalia.
He was the commander of the convoy that was hit at around 1:00pm on Sunday between Buulo Nagad and Ceel in the Lower Shabelle region.
“Our super logistics convoy was hit by IED at Around 1300hrs between Buulo nagad and Ceel waligo and on sad note we lost the convoy commander Maj Patrick Opio Awany, who died on the spot and others injured,” Capt. Ibrahim Ssekitto, the Ugandan Contingent public information officer, said in a brief statement.
He said the injured were airlifted to hospital in Mogadishu. Maj Awany belonged to the Motorised Infantry Brigade of the UPDF.
Todwong mourned Maj. Awany from his X handle, saying;
“I celebrate my brother, Maj Opio Patrick Awany. Your dedication to protecting our country was your code and you approached your duty with unmatched passion. You bravely faced countless battles in the Central African Republic, Eastern DRC Congo and Somalia,” Todwong posted.
“Your life was tragically cut short this morning 7/7/2024 as you served our continent Africa. May your legacy endure to inspire more heroes. We will forever hold you in our hearts, Patrick. You were a true patriot.”
The development points to the fragility of the situation in Somalia as the African Union Transition Mission continues with troop drawdown.
The UPDF earlier this month handed over yet another Forward Operating Base to the Somali army as part of the ongoing troop drawdown process.
However, despite the UN giving a go ahead to the troop drawdown that will see Somalia take charge of its own security, many have opined that this has come early as the country’s army is not yet ready for this huge task despite efforts for capacity building.
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