Al Shabaab militants in Somalia on Sunday claimed they had killed 39 African Union troops in an ambush in the country’s south.
However the army has come out on Monday to clarify that 12 of its officers were gunned down and other 7 terribly injured following the attack.
A statement from UPDF publicist Brig Richard Karemire says: “Following the ambush on SNA/AMISOM troops by Alshabab terrorists at Goryowein along Bulu-maler and Beladamin, on Sunday 29 July 2017, the UPDF Contingent commander Brig Kayanja Muhanga, has since been on ground to conduct counter operations.”
“From the battlefield, it is now confirmed that UPDF lost 12 gallant soldiers with 07 sustaining injuries. The dead and those injured have been evacuated to Mogadishu Level II Hospital for further management and treatment.”
The UPDF office of Chief of Personnel and Administration is contacting the next of kin of the deceased and injured to inform them of the developments while arrangements are being made to transport deceased comrades to their homes of origin for descent burial.
“Meanwhile, a board of inquiry is being constituted to establish circumstances leading to this fateful incident.
The same board of inquiry will help in expediting the compensation process by the African Union in respect of the deceased who gave their lives in defence of mother Africa,” Karemire wrote.