The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have denied knowledge of the reportedly renewed commitment by the European Union to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Government’s New Vision Newspaper reported yesterday that the EU, which had in February this year unplugged 20% of its support of mission to pacify Somalia, had rekindled the support, injecting over 60Billion Shillings to that effect.
The February budget cut had come with major ramifications, with soldiers salaries dropping to $828 down from $1028 per month.
In a Monday statement, the Ugandan army says they weren’t aware of the new commitment by the EU to resume full support of the Somali mission, terming the news story as “not entirely correct.”
“While the story seemed to quote the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, one Ambassador Smail Chergui, who confirmed that the, the UPDF has not been formally notified of these developments,” read part of the statement.
The statement further revealed that the UPDF soldiers serving under the AMISOM have not been paid for nine months and not three as was published in the story. This covers the period from January 2016 to date.
The EU while announcing the budget drop said this had been forced by realities.
In response, the UPDF, which was charging $200 from each soldier’s monthly take home, reduced this fee to $100. The fee is purportedly to handle all administrative arrangements accruing from these transactions.
The UPDF which is the largest single contributor to the AMISOM mission since 2007 says that will nonetheless continue to work with all partners to restore lasting peace and stability in Somalia.