A total of 177 trainees from Guinea-Bissau, who underwent training in the Very Important Persons and Special Operations Tactics Course, passed out today at the Special Mission Training Centre in Butiaba, Bulisa district.
The 16-week training was conducted by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.
In his message, the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, lauded the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his immense contribution to the security and stability of the region and the African continent. “His steadfast commitment to clear foreign policies has not only fostered peace in the region but also facilitated the exceptional development that our nation has attained,” General Kainerugaba said.
The Commander of Special Forces Command, Major General David Mugisha, delivered a message saying that the demonstrations displayed by the trainees reflected the efforts, energy, and resolve of both the UPDF and the Guinea-Bissau forces to galvanise the Pan-Africanism agenda of strategic peace and development.
He observed that exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best practices during the course will strengthen the collective ability to protect VIPs and execute specialised operations with precision, lethality, and expertise.
The Special Advisor on Defence and Security in Guinea-Bissau, Major General Jose Antonio Marques, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People – Guinea-Bissau, commended the UPDF for accepting to train their nationals and added that the knowledge and skills acquired will go a long way in defending their country. He thanked the participants for portraying professionalism and discipline and pledged to continue strengthening the existing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Joint Staff – Training and Doctrine, Brigadier General Alex Opolot Olupot, said the training has enhanced the spirit of Pan-Africanism among individuals and the two countries.
The Commandant of the Special Mission Training Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Ogwal Onyinge, thanked the UPDF leadership for the support rendered through the training, which made the course run smoothly.
Lieutenant Colonel Ogwal said the trainees trained in various indoor and outdoor exercises, including tactical exercises, casualty care, cordon and search operations, military intelligence, physical body fitness training, and range exercises, among others.
The pass-out ceremony was attended by the 1 Infantry Division Commander, Brigadier General Joseph Ssemwanga; Commander Marines Brigade, Brigadier General Michael Nyarwa; the Bulisa Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Longino Bahebwa; the area Member of Parliament, Honourable Allan Atugonza; representatives from sister security agencies; UPDF senior officers, political leaders, government leaders, religious leaders, and militants.