Two Ugandan military officers have been convicted of cowardice for their actions during an attack by Islamist fighters on an African Union base in Somalia in May.
Colonel Deo Akiki and Major John Oluka fled when they faced an assault by al-Shabab in Bulo Marer, located to the south of the capital Mogadishu.
Officials report that a minimum of 50 Ugandan soldiers lost their lives.
Uganda is a member of the African Union force supporting the Somali government in its efforts to combat al-Shabab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda.
The assault on Bulo Marer marked one of the deadliest incidents for the African Union force, AMISOM, since its initiation of a new offensive against al-Shabab last year.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda expressed criticism towards the military’s response.
The Ugandan military court, convened in Mogadishu, was informed that the officers had been alerted to an imminent attack but neglected to take preventive action.
During the assault by al-Shabab gunmen on the base, the officers were unable to rally their troops and, instead, fled to another base.
Both officers have been dismissed from the army.
Four non-commissioned officers were also convicted of neglecting their duty to safeguard military equipment.
Deployed in 2007, the 19,000-strong African Union force played a pivotal role in driving al-Shabab out of numerous cities in Somalia.
The African Union force is set to hand over security responsibilities to Somalia’s government forces and depart the country next year.
Despite efforts, the campaign against al-Shabab has encountered setbacks, with the group retaining control over numerous rural areas in the country.
