Thirty-nine Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel have completed a one-week Gender in Peace Operations course at the Headquarter Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability in Jinja.

Colonel Joseph Okalebo, the Deputy Chief of Operations at HQ URDC, who presided over the closing ceremony and urged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course in their operational assignments.

“I encourage all of you not to leave what you have learnt on paper but put it into practice during operations,” Col Okalebo said.

Maj Arthur Bwire, the Chief Trainer, said the course was designed to equip UPDF personnel with the knowledge and skills required to integrate gender perspectives into peace support operations in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and African Union frameworks.

He added that the training provided participants with an understanding of gender dynamics in conflict and post-conflict environments, alongside practical skills for incorporating gender considerations into operational tasks such as patrols, escorts, searches, communication, cultural awareness and community engagement.

Capt Margaret Bbosa Nabbosa, the Head of Facilitators, said the course was conducted by qualified personnel trained in gender and peace support operations.

She noted that the training combined theoretical lessons with practical sessions, encouraging interaction and the exchange of experiences among participants from diverse backgrounds.

The participants were drawn from Battle Groups XLVIII and XLIX, IPSO-TC, Singo and HQ URDC.