Maj. Patrick Opio Awany, brother of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Richard Todwong, has been killed in Somalia.
“He was a convoy commander,” confirmed deputy defence spokesperson Col. Deo Akiiki on Monday morning. “Al Shabaab laid an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) against his convoy, which hit his vehicle and killed him.”
According to Captain Ibrahim Ssekito, the Battle Group Information Officer, three Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers were injured in the attack that occurred at 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 7, 2024, between Buulo Nagad and Ceel Wareego in Lower Shabelle, Somalia.
The ill-fated convoy was transporting logistics. Capt. Ssekito added that Maj. Awany, who belonged to the Motorised Infantry Brigade of the UPDF, died on the spot. The injured soldiers were airlifted to a Level II hospital in Mogadishu.
Richard Todwong mourned his brother on social media. “I celebrate my brother, Maj. Opio Patrick Awany. Your dedication to protecting our country was your code and you approached your duty with unmatched passion,” Todwong wrote on Sunday. “You bravely faced countless battles in the Central African Republic, Eastern DRC Congo, and Somalia. Your life was tragically cut short this morning 7/7/2024 as you served our continent Africa. May your legacy endure to inspire more heroes. We will forever hold you in our hearts, Patrick. You were a true patriot.”
This tragic incident underscores the fragile security situation in Somalia as African Union forces continue to withdraw from the war-torn country, particularly in Lower Shabelle. In June 2023, Al Shabaab killed 54 Ugandan soldiers at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Buulo Mareer, Lower Shabelle.
 Secretary General Richard Todwong, has been killed in Somalia.){kind=link}