PRESS STATEMENT 15/2017

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Michael Keating expressed his deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the Ugandan soldiers serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) who lost their lives in an ambush in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Sunday.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack on the troops, who were conducting a joint patrol with Somali National Army soldiers. A spokesman for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces issued a statement earlier today announcing the launch of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident which, according to the spokesman, killed 12 soldiers and wounded another seven.

“We pay tribute to the AMISOM troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of a more peaceful and prosperous future for Somalia," said Mr. Keating. "We reaffirm our solidarity in particular with the people and government of Uganda as they mourn the loss of their compatriots. We wish a full and speedy recovery to the soldiers who sustained injuries during the attack,” the SRSG added.