Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

THW UGANDA Peoples Defense Force [UPDF} soldiers who were recently killed by terrorists suicide bomb attack in Somalia in the previous week were last Monday buried in their respective rural homes in different parts of Uganda.

Warrant Officer II Donald Okumu, 42, from Nebbi district, Staff Sgt. George Wabomba of Manafwa, Cpl. David Turyasingura from Rukingiri and Lance Cpl George Asimbisibwe of Kanungu in Toro, were killed when Al-Shaabab militants attacked the African Union peacekeepers mission in Mogadishu on September 17.

They were part of the estimated 4300 Ugandan Battle Group {UGABAG} IV, which was deployed in volatile Somalia only two weeks ago before the attack, to replace their colleagues who returned home after completing their mission.

At a separate funeral, the UPDF described the deceased as heroes who died on the line of duty.

Col Dick Okumu, who represented the army at the burial of WOII Okumu in Parombo, in Nebbi district, told the several hundred mourners, ”We are proud of him because while many others fear to go to Somalia, the deceased did not”.

He said Okumu, the deceased and his colleagues, were shinning examples of the brotherhood Ugandan share with Somalia.

“The death was caused by a cowardly act of international terrorists. They died while trying to bring peace to the world”, Okumu eulogized.

The late Okumu is survived by a widow, Doreen Okumu and five children. The eldest child is a boy who is attending Secondary Three school class [ an equivalent to Kenya’s Form III}.

In Rukingiri, the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Aronda Nyakorima, while officially officiating at the burial of Cpl David Turyasingura, described him “as a patriot and an inspiration to the youth because the deceased had joined the army when he was only 16 years of age. He has been on peacekeeping missions in many countries, including the DR Congo and the Sudan.”

The deceased eldest brother, Mr Fred Bihegye, said the deceased joined the army at a very tender age and was a good example to others. Turyasingura, 34, was married. He was buried at his home in Kigoroma village in Buyanja.

A total of 14 peacekeepers, including Maj General Juvenal Niyanguruzusa from Burundiu, were killed by terrorists suicide bombers. Niyongurusuza was the second in command of the entire AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Subject: UGANDA BURIES ITS SOLDIERS KILLED BY ISLAMIST TERRORISTS IN SOMALIA IN AN EMOTIONAL SEND OFF OF THE FALLEN HEROES.