The remains of 12 fallen UPDF officers who died in the line duty in war ravaged Somalia will arrive tomorrow Wednesday at Entebbe airport.
They were killed in an ambush laid by Somali militant Al-Shaabab on Sunday. Seven other soldiers were gravely injured in the attack, UPDF publicist Brig Richard Karemire said last Monday.
The Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Adolf Mwesigye told Parliament on Tuesday bodies of departed heroes will land at Entebbe at 13:30 local time.
“Honorable members the remains our gallant sons who died on duty in Somalia are to arrive home tomorrow at 1:30pm,” Mwesigye said.
Whereas the extremist group claims they killed 39 soldiers, Minister insisted the figure was 12.
“Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy but it’s sad we also lost 12 soldiers. Their bodies were immediately removed and taken Mogadishu to await a return home and be accorded decent burials,” he added.
The Defense Minister was made to make a statement after a demand from the Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament, Theodore Sekikubo.
Meanwhile other legislators including Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda from Kiira Municipality and Lira Women representative Joy Atim asked the minister to give the house a full report on the attack and the names of casualties.
The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah who presided over the sitting ordered Mwesigye to return tomorrow with the details of dead and injured officers.
