Tuesday May 9, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali federal government has refuted claims that a recruit died in Uganda due to organ removal. The soldier's family suspected foul play upon seeing the dissected body.
Somalia's Minister of Defense, Abdikhadir Mohamed Nur, announced on Monday that an autopsy was performed on the soldier's body to determine the cause of death. He explained that the soldier became ill during training and was taken to a hospital in Kampala, where he later passed away.
A photo of the body circulated on social media, inciting outrage and criticism. Worried family and friends began reaching out to their loved ones also undergoing training in Uganda.
Minister Nur has communicated with his counterparts through official channels, and the government has requested an investigation into the soldier's death before his body is returned to Somalia for burial.
"An autopsy must be conducted to confirm the cause of his death. A report containing this information will be presented once the body is returned to Somalia. I believe the surgery was misinterpreted, and the family was misinformed," said the defense minister.
Minister Nur assured the public that the Somali government would not tolerate such an incident. He emphasized that Somalia had previously sent troops to Uganda and other countries for training without any similar occurrences.
The Somali government has sent hundreds of recruits for army training to countries like Uganda, with the first group returning to Somalia before the holy month of Ramadan.