Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has warned those attempting to disrupt the peace that the government remains firmly in control and will not tolerate such actions.
Wamala, the minister of Works and Transport, made these remarks during the launch of Cutting Through Hell, a book authored by Brig Dr. James Kiyengo, at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala. T
he book chronicles Kiyengo’s journey as a military doctor navigating Uganda’s internal conflicts and the brutal warzones of Somalia from 2009 to 2020.
Addressing the audience, Wamala said: “To my peace-loving Ugandans, as long as we are in charge of this country, no one will disrupt the peace or bring war. We have suffered, been victims, and defeated our enemies. We want you to enjoy this peace and use it effectively for economic development.”
The former CDF praised military doctors like Brig. Gen. Dr. Kiyengo for their sacrifices in providing medical care to wounded soldiers and civilians in conflict zones, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
In his book, Brig. Gen. Dr. Kiyengo acknowledged President Museveni for conceiving the pacification strategy for Somalia. Kiyengo credited his time in Somalia with honing his skills in military strategic planning and staff writing, which paved the way for his authorship and prepared him for the challenges of the Somali theatre.
Kiyengo also commended Gen. Wamala, who served as Commander of the Land Forces and overall strategic commander of the Ugandan contingent in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). He noted that Wamala’s leadership was critical to the pacification process.
Additionally, Wamala facilitated the acquisition of medical supplies from Nour Somalia, a non-governmental organization, through Diana Sufian and the European Union. These supplies enabled civilian surgeries during Kiyengo’s two-year tenure as AMISOM’s Forces Medical Officer.
Other guests, including Maj Gen Elly Kayanja, lauded the professionalism of the UPDF, saying military doctors like Kiyengo have excelled in their medical craft.
Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye expressed gratitude to President Museveni for transforming the UPDF, enabling officers like Kiyengo to share their battlefield experiences through such publications.
Notable attendees included former Chairman of the General Court Martial, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, members of the UPDF, Kiyengo’s family, and alumni from Namilyango College, Makerere University Medical School, and friends from Mukono.
