UPDF Officers Complete Human Security Planning Training to Strengthen Somalia Operations
Photo Credit: UPDF / ATMIS
Kampala / Mogadishu
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has wrapped up an important Human Security Planning training for its officers serving in Somalia, aimed at improving how troops plan, coordinate, and work with communities in conflict-affected areas.
The training, conducted at Sector One Headquarters in Mogadishu, was a five-day interactive workshop led by Brigadier General Joseph Ssemwanga, the Sector One Commander. The program focused on practical staff planning, teamwork, and civil-military coordination—ensuring that military operations align with the needs and safety of civilians.
This initiative was supported by the United Kingdom Mission Support Team in Somalia (UKMST), whose expertise helped guide participants through real-life operational scenarios. Brig. Gen. Ssemwanga emphasized that such workshops are key for “mentoring, coordination, and effective planning” to achieve mission success.
Colonel Ben Ramsey, Commander of the British Forces in Somalia, praised the UPDF’s commitment to stability in Somalia, noting that Uganda’s contribution to African Union missions for over 18 years has been central to weakening Al-Shabaab and restoring peace.
Human Security Planning is not just about defeating threats—it’s about building trust, engaging with communities, and creating conditions for lasting stability. For the UPDF in Somalia, that means every operation considers civilian safety and long-term peacebuilding as much as battlefield objectives.
