Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia are due to receive salary arrears’ covering the last nine months, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has said.
“The African Union has transferred to Bank of Uganda over US$ 4.9million (18 billion Shillings), being arrears payment for our troops serving in Somalia to cover the period of January to September 2016.” Gen Wamala said adding that the delay in the payment was beyond the Uganda Government control.
He was speaking at UPDF’s Peace Support Operation Training Center in Nakaseke District, while officiating at a flagging off ceremony of 2,745 troops under Uganda Battle Group 20 (UGABAG XX) who will early next week deploy to Somalia to replace UGABAG 17 that has completed its one year tour of duty in Somalia.
“There were delays because we got into serious discussions with the EU when they resolved to reduce the monthly allowances of the troops from US $ 1028 (3.7 million Shillings) to US$ 828 (2.9 million Shillings). They then later resolved to pay in Euros which caused other discussions and signing of fresh Memorandum of understanding,” he said.
He refuted recent media reports claiming that UPDF troops were planning to mutiny over the delayed AMISOM allowances.
“UPDF is not a mercenary force. We did not go to Somalia for money but rather a just pan African cause. The issue of allowances came later as a by-the-way. We have served in Central Africa and South Sudan without any pay and so the force can never mutiny over allowances or anything else,” he added.
He further explained that the European Union will effective January 2017 make payments in Euros.
However, because Parliament resolved that UPDF will deploy to Somalia on Zero Funding from Uganda, the government will deduct an equivalent of US $100 (362,000 Shillings) for administrative costs like transporting the troops for compassionate leave and acquiring extra uniforms.
“This means every soldier will now receive a monthly take home of EUR 646 (2.4 million Shillings) as allowances for serving under AMISOM,” Gen Wamala said.
Gen Wamala warned the troops that despite the security improvements in Somalia, the mission is still a “dose and die mission” and that they need to remain alert all the time.
The CDF revealed that amongst the three battalions under UGABAG 20, two battalions, 7 and 69 had earlier served in Somalia. He said he expects they will perform better due to the experience they already had in the Somalia operations.
The troops will be going with a new Contingent Commander, Brig Kayanja Muhanga, who is replacing Brig Sam Okiding upon the successful completion of his one year tour of duty in the mission.
Brig Kayanja has been the 4th Division Commander and also commanded the force that responded to the South Sudan crisis in 2013. Recently, he commanded the force that rescued Ugandans trapped in South Sudan. Previously, Kayanja served as the Commander of UGABAG 8 that participated in defeating Al shabaab in Mogadishu city and later captured Afgoye in lower shabelle.