At least other four UPDF soldiers are nursing severe injuries.

AMISOM militants attacked five military bases in Shabelle region, Somalia, and launched coordinated attacks, including detonating two suicide car bombs – one hitting AU vehicle.

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President Museveni, in his first response after the Sunday attack, put the number of killed UPDF to 8, from the previous 4 and mentions that 36 al-Shabaab militants were killed.

He extended his condolences to the families of the 'heroic' gallant soldiers of the UPDF

“On Easter Sunday our soldiers in Somalia heroically gave serious blows to Al-Shabaab, killing 36 of them and destroying six vehicles full of explosives. This was because they were alert, Unfortunately, two vehicles of the enemy entered one of the three sites attacked. One vehicle was detonated and killed eight of our soldiers. May their souls rest in eternal peace. I extend condolences to their families,” Museveni said in a series of tweets.

UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire reiterated that the force will continue working together with the Somali forces against the al-Shabaab militants.

“UPDF will as well continue working hand in hand with Somalia forces to make sure Somalia gets rid of the al-Shabaab,” Karemire said.

The bodies of the deceased UPDF soldiers are expected to be flown in the country today; will be received in honour and given a decent send off.

The Attack

The militants launched coordinated attacks on five military camps in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region.

They detonated two suicide car bombs that hit one AU vehicle and one Somali military vehicle before large number of al-Shabaab fighters began firing from under the trees.