Lt Gen Sam Kavuma Assumes Office as African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Force Commander
By The Public Lens
Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma has assumed office as the Force Commander of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), following his appointment by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the President of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces in March 2024.
He replaces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, who was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF.
Upon his arrival in Mogadishu on Sunday (28 July 2024), Lt Gen Kavuma was welcomed with a guard of honour mounted by UPDF troops at the ATMIS headquarters.
He later received a briefing from key staff officers led by the Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Support and Logistics, Maj Gen Peter Muteti.
Lt Gen Kavuma’s appointment comes at a critical moment, as ATMIS prepares for a phased drawdown and transition into a new mission to stabilize Somalia.
He said, “I am here to join the team as we implement the transition into a new mission come December 2024. As the team captain, I will head the military components in ATMIS.”
Lt Gen Kavuma expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all Troop-Contributing Countries to the mission since its inception in 2007, which has led to the liberation of many towns in Somalia.
He acknowledged the significant achievements made by various actors, including the Federal Government of Somalia, and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to degrade Al-Shabaab, achieve peace, and enable Somalis to engage in productive development.
Lt Gen Sam Kavuma previously served as Sector One Commander from 2014-2015, overseeing the liberation of several towns in the Lower Shabelle region.
He later held positions as Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Deputy Chief Coordinator – Operation Wealth Creation in Uganda.
Present were Maj Gen Kindu Gezu, the ATMIS military Chief of Staff; ATMIS Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, Senior and Staff Officers.
