Somali clan leaders in Uganda attend the celebration in Kisenyi.Photos: Patrick Jaramogi.

By Patrick Jaramogi

Hundreds of Somali nationals residing in Kampala took to the streets celebrating the election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as Somalis new president.

The Somalis, majority of them women refugees sang songs and danced during the heavy down pour that characterized the day.

Uganda is host to over 40,000 Somalis, majority refugees residing in many districts and in leading settlement camps.

Somalia's new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a political newcomer, was elected by the Parliament replacing the outgoing President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who conceded defeat.


First Secretary to Somalia’s Embassy in Uganda said the end of a transition government was the beginning of peace in the war torn country.

“We are happy that after over 40 years, Somalia has had elections. We appeal to the new president elect not to waste this opportunity. It has taken us several years to get a government. We don’t want to go back to where we have been. We need peace. I thank the former president for conceding defeat and urge the new president elect to foster peace and reconciliation,” said Mohammed Farah

Somalia's Parliament elected a new president last week; a move that the international community says is a key step toward the restoration of peace and rule of law.

Hussein Hassan the Somali Community chairperson in Uganda said the election would foster in a new chapter in the lives of the Somalis. “In fact the number of Somalis trekking into East Africa and Uganda in particular is set to reduce. We have already received reports of Somalis requesting to return back home voluntarily. This will also reduce on the refugee pressure in Uganda,” said Hussein