The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-In-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has passed out UPDF troops who successfully completed Armoured Basic Crew Course at Armoured Warfare Training School (AWTS) in Mubende District.
The President expressed satisfaction with the skills displayed by the trainees on target identification, acquisition and destruction. He thanked the instructors for a job well done and said that the remarkable performance by the trainees is a demonstration of their ability to efficiently exploit the acquired knowledge.
“Putting to use the acquired knowledge will help us better the UPDF institution,” said the President.
M7 inspecting the tanks
He commended the Russian Government for exhibiting a spirit of friendship to the Ugandan Government that has enabled the UPDF to receive both equipment and training support.
The President also hailed the UPDF leadership for preserving the environment at the training school and said there are plans to better accommodation facilities in all military barracks.
President Museveni implored civilians to stop encroaching on UPDF land, saying the act puts the Force in a compromising state.
M7 with top UPDF Officer alongside Russian trainers
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi noted improvement in UPDF training and promised to maintain it.
He said: “We have been able to cope with the ever changing training requirements. This has made UPDF better than before.”
Gen Muhoozi urged the graduands to maintain their loyalty to the country and the UPDF, observe discipline, and ensure a healthy living so that they can effectively execute their constitutional duties.
Brig Deus Sande, the Commandant of AWTS, lauded the instructors, especially the Russian experts, for being committed and reliable to the cause of transforming the UPDF.
CIC Gen.M7 receiving a training book from Russian commandos
The one-year course was on T-90, T-72 and T-55 tanks. The trainees also acquired skills on application of Infantry Fighting Vehicles, both tracked and wheeled.
According to the Chief Instructor Col Jackson Kajuba, the course aimed at building capacity of tank operators to reinforce armoured formations in the UPDF.
The function ended with the award of gifts to the best students in various disciplines.
The graduation was attended by, among others, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties Lt Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso, Member of Parliament for Kasanda North Hon Simeo Nsubuga, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Wilson Mbadi, UPDF Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Commander Air Forces Lt Gen Charles Lutaya, Commander Special Forces Command Maj Gen James Birungi, Chief of Staff Land Forces Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, and the Chief of Training and Recruitment Brig James Kinalwa.