By Troops of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) deployed in Somalia under the United Nations Guard Unit Eleven (UNGU XI) have been called upon to place their physical and mental well-being at the forefront of their service, as a vital pillar for mission success and long-term operational effectiveness.
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The call was made by Lt Col Peter Ruyogoza Barigye, the unit’s Commanding Officer, during a health awareness campaign held at the contingent’s base in Mogadishu. Under the theme “Fit for Duty”, the campaign focused on promoting preventive health and overall wellness, tailored to the demanding and high-risk environment in which the troops operate.
Organised by the UNGU XI medical team, the initiative aimed to boost the health resilience of personnel serving in Somalia’s intense operational conditions.
“Our health is our wealth,” Lt Col Barigye said, commending the medical team for leading the charge in educating soldiers about disease prevention and healthy living. He emphasized that the hostile deployment environment increases vulnerability to various health issues including both infectious and chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and fatigue and encouraged the troops to take proactive steps to remain fit and combat-ready.
Maj Jacob Gowan Kaburika, the unit’s Administrative Officer, echoed the message, urging soldiers to implement the lessons learned.
“Your health is vital to the mission and to the UPDF. We must safeguard our well-being,” he said.
The campaign included sessions led by Captain Dr Andrew Namaulula, head of the contingent’s medical team. He noted that the initiative was designed to give troops practical tools to manage health challenges in the field.
“Our goal is to empower every soldier with the knowledge and habits needed to stay healthy, despite the stressful and sometimes dangerous conditions they face,” he said.
The sessions addressed crucial topics like mental health management, including how to recognise and respond to PTSD, anxiety, depression, acute stress, and burnout. The campaign emphasised that mental wellness is just as important as physical fitness in ensuring the success and sustainability of UPDF’s peacekeeping responsibilities under the UN mandate.
The medical team reiterated that maintaining troop health must remain a top priority in any deployment, noting that a healthy force is a mission-capable force.
