A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier attached to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) contracted covid19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus.
According to Brig. Richard Otto, who commands the UPDF contingent in the Horn of Africa nation, the soldier is undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Mogadishu, the country’s capital.
The UPDF spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire also said UPDF doctors in Somalia are are tracing his contacts to halt the spread.
“It’s true one of our UPDF soldiers serving under the African Union Mission to Somalia tested positive for coronavirus. This virus has not spared Somalia like any other country,” Brig Karemire said before he added that the soldier is in stable condition and being managed by medical workers in Mogadishu.
“We have a medical team that’s handling him at level two hospital in Mogadishu and so there’s no need to be very worried. We’re sure he will pull through,” he added.
UPDF that currently has 5579 troop presence has been in Somalia since 2007 as part of the African peace keeping mission although countries like the United States of America and organizations like the European Union that majorly bankroll AMISOM have called for accelerated withdrawal.
Somalia has so far confirmed 582 cases of covid19, registered 28 deaths, and 20 recoveries.
