At what point is a drill more than just a drill? Maybe when it is not carried out above the capital city that is routinely troubled by opposition riots.
However, Thursday’s drills involving Uganda Airforce’s Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft was normal Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) routine, according to army spokesperson Paddy Ankunda.
A similar display of the jet fighter plane was on show five years ago during president Museveni’s swearing in ceremony at Kololo airstrip.
And today, there was talk that the drills were meant to intimidate opposition demonstrators who have vowed to block President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony that is scheduled for May 12th.
Ankunda said that although “people were worried,” the jet fighter involved was “routine flights.”
“I hear people are worried about the aircrafts that over flew Kampala this morning. Calm down, these were routine test flights,” he tweeted, adding: “The purpose was not to intimidate anyone as some people are alleging.”
“ The aircrafts that flew over Kampala this morning were on a routine testing exercise. Our students are soon passing out.
I would like to inform our fans who in boxed this page today never to lose sleep over such routine exercises. There is no need to notify the public each time before we carry out our exercises”.
READ: Warplanes drill ahead of Museveni swearing-in
The Russian made jet fighter hovered over the skies for about 15 minutes, with the pilots displaying precise and impressive maneuvers.
Asked about Uganda’s aircraft assertiveness back in 2014, President Museveni said having a strong infantry without a strong air force is like having food without sauce.
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