The Commander of Uganda’s United Nations Guard Unit Eleven (UNGU-XI), Lieutenant Colonel Peter Ruyogoza Barigye, has called on officers and department heads to uphold discipline, lead with empathy, and maintain constant vigilance in the face of ongoing threats from the extremist group Al-Shabaab.
Speaking during a commanders’ update briefing at the UNGU-XI headquarters in Mogadishu, Lt Col Barigye emphasized the importance of ethical leadership and mutual respect in achieving mission success under the UN mandate.
“We cannot be in this mission alone as commanders without our troops. We need them, and they need us,” he said. “We must respect them, value their feelings, and recognise the dignity of every soldier, regardless of their background.”
The commander urged senior officers to foster meaningful and respectful engagement with their subordinates, highlighting that leadership grounded in discipline and a positive work culture boosts both morale and operational performance.
Lt Col Barigye also warned against complacency, despite a recent lull in enemy activity around Mogadishu.
“We must remain vigilant and adaptable. The calm should not mislead us into thinking the threat has vanished,” he cautioned, referring to the persistent danger posed by Al-Shabaab.
He praised the officers for their continued commitment to administrative coordination and alignment with the mission’s strategic objectives, urging them to sustain high levels of readiness and professionalism to effectively respond to emerging threats.
The meeting was attended by officers and department heads deployed under UNGU-XI, which is tasked with securing key UN installations and personnel in Somalia.
