Somali defense minister seized in Uganda
MOGADISHU – Somalia’s defense minister was seized Tuesday during a trip to the Ugandan capital in what the Somali president said was likely a “mistake” by Ugandan security forces.
Yusuf Mohamed Siad was picked up as he walked out of a mosque in Kampala, Somali government spokesman Sheik Abdirisaq Qeylow said.
Qeylow initially said Siad was kidnapped, but the circumstances were not immediately clear and the claim could not be independently confirmed. Calls to authorities in Uganda were not immediately returned.
Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, during a trip to Columbus, Ohio, told The Associated Press that he was aware of the incident and said, “we understand he’s in the custody of the Ugandan government.”
Somali officials were working to free him, Ahmed added.
Somalia has been ravaged by violence and anarchy since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, then turned on each other.
The al-Shabab insurgent group, which has foreign fighters in its ranks, operates openly in the capital and seeks to overthrow the government and impose a strict form of Islam in Somalia.
More Stories
Sarasota-Manatee campus housing rates to be most expensive across all campuses
Student housing rates for the new Sarasota-Manatee residence hall will be the most expensive of all on-campus housing costs across USF’s three campuses. Rates for the dorm will be as follows, according to Regional Vice Chancellor for Business and Financial Affairs Edwin Beauchamp: Suite (Double): $1,297 monthly Two bedroom, one bathroom apartment (single): $1,648 monthly […]
Old Student Health Services building to remain unoccupied
The Student Health Services (SHS) building located next to the bookstore will remain unoccupied, as no decisions have been made to determine what the space will be used for, according to Susanna Perez, communications and marketing officer at the SHWC. All operations that the building used to house were moved to the new Student Health […]
Students for Socialism hold rally against cost of on-campus living
SFS founder Will Mleczko, a sophomore economics major, said he struggled to afford the cost of living on campus and was forced to take out loans. His struggles were similar to those of his peers in SFS. Six of the organization’s members spoke while around 20 other members held signs reading “The cost of living […]
Temporary esports lab opens at Tampa campus, permanent lab to open fall 2024
The temporary Esports Living Lab (ELL) opened on Sept. 11 at the FIT. The 900-square-foot lab will serve as a precursor to the upcoming permanent lab of the same name set to open in 2024. Open from 5-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, the temporary ELL is stocked with 16 monitors, headsets and microphones as well […]
USF falls three spots in public university national ranking
USF now sits at No. 45 among all public universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking – a decrease of three spots from its place at No. 42 last year. Last year’s ranking was the university’s highest ever. This was the fifth consecutive year that USF was listed within the top 50 […]
Top floor in Collins garage closed for protective fence installation
The top floor of the Leroy Collins garage is closed for the installation of protective fences, Director of Communication and Engagement Aaron Nichols said. The addition of fencing is the second phase of a $3.8 million multiphased approach to install additional protective measures to open-air garages due to suicides at the Tampa campus. The first […]