Brig Gen Gaetano Peter Omola is New Uganda Contingent Commander in Somalia

Brig Gen Gaetano Peter Omola is the new Uganda Contingent Commander in Somalia.

He replaces Brig Gen Keith Katungi who has been serving as the Acting Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Sector One Commander.

The Commander of Land Force, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Tuesday officiated the Handover/Takeover ceremony of the office from Brig Gen Keith Katungi to Brig  Gen Peter Gaetano Omolla in Mogadishu-Somalia.

On Monday, the Chief of the Somalia National Army, Brig Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rage, honoured the outgoing ATMIS Ag. Force Commander Brig Gen Keith Katungi at an event held in Mogadishu.

Brig Gen Odowaa applauded the good working relationship between ATMIS and the Somali security forces.

Last week, Katungi was commended for his role in degrading the Al-Shabaab and contributing to peace and stability in Somalia.

At a medal parade and farewell ceremony held at the Force Headquarters in Mogadishu, Thursday, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef lauded Brig Gen Katungi for his role in securing Somalia’s parliamentary and presidential elections.

“The political process was very tough but you managed to secure Mogadishu city and ensure that the elections took place. Today, all of us and the international community are proud because elections took place on time,” said Amb Souef.

Brig Gen Katungi, who has completed his tour of duty, thanked the Federal Government and the people of Somalia for their collaboration with ATMIS in addressing the security challenges facing the country.

“I am leaving the mission when there is goodwill to fight al-Shabaab that cuts across right from the federal government, and member states and trickling down to everyone in Somalia. So far we can see the fruits of 15 years of AMISOM and now ATMIS,” he said.

In appreciation of his service to the mission, Amb Souef presented Brig Gen Katungi with an African Union commemorative plaque, a medal, a certificate of recognition and other souvenirs.

Also honoured was the outgoing Sector One Deputy Commander, Col David Opeero. The Sector One area of responsibility which includes the capital Mogadishu is under the jurisdiction of the Ugandan troops serving under ATMIS.

Other troop-contributing countries include Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya.