Ugandan Military on Thursday confirmed the death of its 12 soldiers who were killed during an attack by militants in Somalia this week.

The AU peacekeeping soldiers were among others killed in the Tuesday attack, which al Shabaab claimed responsibility.

The attack comes barely a year after al Shabaab leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed in a US air strike.

Ugandan Military spokesman, Paddy Ankunda, said that the bodies of the fallen soldiers would be flown home this week.

“We won’t relent in our efforts to pacify Somalia; it’s a mission we must accomplish, no matter what,”Ankunda said.

Somalia-focused diplomatic sources had initially said the death toll was expected to be “very high”, lending some credence to the 70 deaths claimed by al Shabaab.

Although the claim is being disputed as reports reveal that fewer people may have been killed in the attack than previously feared.

Al Shabaab often exaggerates the success of its attacks, while officials play down losses.

The attack on Janale base, about 90 km (56 miles) south from capital Mogadishu, was the latest of the militant group’s frequent assaults on military bases or convoys.

The group wants to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government(Reuters/NAN) HAB/ASH/ASH