Troops of Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and French forces have conclude a combined training exercise in mountain warfare along the Mt. Rwenzori range in Western Uganda on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The week-long exercise was being conducted at Karugutu mountain warfare training school in Ntoroko district.
Speaking at function, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi urged soldiers to keep healthy and fit by keeping exercising as they serve the country for years to come.
Mbadi cautioned soldiers to avoid alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution and any other activities that can affect their health. He encouraged soldiers to continue training to prepare for future assignments.
‘’The best welfare for a soldier is first class training, because it gives you confidence and enough skills. UPDF is a professional force which always prays for peace and shall never stop preparing. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so we must prepare and that’s why we selected you to attend this course,” he said.
He commended the French government and French troops for having accepted to come and share knowledge and skills to their counterparts UPDF.
Brig James Kinalwa on behalf of the Chief of Training and Recruitment congratulated the soldiers upon finishing the course successfully and asked them to continue with the spirit of team work and cooperation. He added that the training was meant to make them perform their duties easily because of the knowledge and skills acquired during the course.
He also lauded UPDF leadership for having looked far and invited our French counterparts to share with us knowledge and skills and promised more advanced technical skills in collaboration with the French.
The Commandant Karugutu Mountain Warfare training school Col. Dothan Mukasa thanked the government of Uganda and the UPDF leadership for the continued support rendered to the school. He said that the school has acquired everything necessary for training process to continue.
The French Defense Attaché to Uganda Lt Col. Fabien Miclot commended UPDF’s effort in fighting terrorism especially in Somalia.
“Fighting terrorism is a common cause and that’s why we are engaged in joint operations to create no room for terrorists,” Fabien said. He added that France is proud of Uganda’s cooperation with other countries with the aim of keeping peace and security.
The joint exercise which lasted 10 days has been running from May 20, 2019 with the aim of making soldiers’ maneuverability and flexibility within the mountains easier for better protection of the country.
The overall best student was Maj SM Okole, best in the field was Pte Mutakubya Steven and LCP Felix Awokono.
