WATCH: Somali President affirms electoral process a milestone at a meeting with Uganda army chief

Mogadishu – On a working visit to the horn of Africa nation Tuesday, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala paid a courtesy visit to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and held talks with his counterpart Chief of the Somali National Army (SNA), Maj. Gen. Mohamed Adan Ahmed.

 

The meeting took place at the presidential palace situated in the heart of the capital Mogadishu.

President Hassan Sheikh described the country’s ongoing electoral process as a major milestone for Somalia, adding that the country last witnessed elections in 1969.

“It is a journey that is going on. In 2020, the plan is to have one-person one-vote election and the elections will happen in constituencies and in districts far way,” President Mohamud stated.

 

 

Gen. Wamala also visited a contingent of African Union troops whom he saluted for their contribution to the country’s electoral process.

“Our highest appreciation of what you have been able to do especially in managing the electoral process. I think this is a milestone. It’s something which has got to go down in records that this was achieved,” Gen. Katumba told troops during a meeting, at the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) headquarters today.

The army chief noted that the peace dividends currently being enjoying in Somalia, were a result of improved security in the country. He called on international partners to support AMISOM to further consolidate these achievements.

“Many lives have been lost on this land, but this should not go in vain. It is our way of helping our African brothers gain back their country,” he told the troops.

Gen. Katumba also presided over a handover ceremony between the outgoing Ugandan contingent commander Brigadier Sam Okiding and incoming commander Brigadier Kayanja Muhanga.

The handover ceremony took place at the AMISOM Sector One headquarters in Mogadishu.

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