Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni told a Somali delegation in Kampala on Monday that his government was willing to assist Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabaab but that his country did not have the financial capabilities to pay for the salaries of Somali soldiers.
“We can help Somalia to defeat Al Shabaab. If it’s a question of weapons, we can buy them and give them to them (Somalia). We can buy uniforms and even share food, but we cannot manage the salary. Salary, for even a month, we can’t manage.”
Museveni said the practice of getting Somalia’s international partners – namely the UAE, Qatar and Turkey – to fund the arming and training of Somali soldiers is not sustainable. He added that security is imperative for the survival of a nation.
“When will you (Somalia) get security? If I’m a poor woman who doesn’t have money, I can still defend my home. I can mobilize my son and brother, and we will defend our home. We want peace.
The Ugandan president made these comments following a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is in Kampala for a two-day state visit.
Since his election in May, President Mohamed has travelled to nearly a dozen countries in a bid to assuage international partners who felt snubbed during the previous administration of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
