KAMPALA-The US has awarded six Ugandan military generals with prestigious medals for commanding African Union troops that have been fighting the Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaida in Somalia.
A statement issued by the Ugandan army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda Wednesday the generals were given Legion of Merit, a US military award issued for exceptionally meritorious performance.
“The Government of the United States of America has decorated six UPDF Generals in recognition of their exceptionally good contribution in the fight against terrorism and pacification efforts in Somalia,” Lt. Col. Ankunda said.
Gen. David Rodriguez, the Commander of US-Africa Command based in German, decorated the officers at Uganda’s military intelligence headquarter in Mbuya.
“I represent my Country to say thank you,” he said after a citation signed by the US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter.
Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces was decorated for his role as the former Land Forces commander whose role was to oversee Ugandan military operations in Somalia.
Others are; Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti and others Major Generals, Levi Karuhanga, Nathan Mugisha, Francis Okello and Fred Mugisha.
Gen. Rodriguez said less than 200 of the awards have been given to foreign leaders and that the six are the first in Uganda. “It’s the efforts and tremendous leadership that has been demonstrated by the Ugandan leaders in AMISOM,”
