Two UPDF Commanders Face Court Martial over Buulo Mareer Base Tragedy

President Museveni has said the two commanders who ordered Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers to retreat from Buulo Mareer base will be prosecuted in the army court martial.

The president who was addressing NRM MPs at Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute on Saturday, said 54 lifeless bodies of UPDF soldiers including a commander only identified as Nyororo were recovered following the deadly attack by over 800 Al-Shabaab terrorists.

According to him, the base was overrun after UPDF soldiers panicked and run away because of the mistake of two commanders who ordered them to retreat.

He said the duo has since been apprehended.

“The mistake was made by two commanders, Maj. Oluka and Maj. Obbo, who ordered the soldiers to retreat,” Museveni told the MPs.

He added: “They have been apprehended and will face charges in the Court Martial.”

Museveni also emphasised that corruption played a major role in the problem, citing the promotion of a soldier responsible for managing an army shop to a commanding position.

“This is a prime example of the corruption we must address. You, the young generation, have a valuable opportunity to learn from the best practices of the National Resistance Army (NRA).”

He reassured the MPs that UPDF had recaptured the base from the terrorists and driven them away.

“Our soldiers demonstrated remarkable resilience and reorganised themselves, resulting in the recapture of the base.”

He said the terrorists attempted another ill-fated attack on Baraawe town but the UPDF dealt them a significant blow, forcing them to flee.