By Godfrey Olukya. Saturday, 18th June, 2016
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is set to establish a
specialized mountain warfare force to secure all Uganda’s mountains,
President Yoweri Museveni, who is also Commander-in-Chief, has
revealed.
The President has made the remarks while at Kyanjuki Village in Kasese
District at the foot of Mt. Rwenzori where he had gone to witness a
military exercise by the unit who are being trained by French
instructors. The French Ambassador to Uganda, Sophie Makame,
accompanied the President.
Addressing residents of Kyanjuki village shortly after witnessing the
exercise, the President said the training of the UPDF on mountain
warfare was necessitated by the need to secure the Ugandan mountains
for security of those living nearby and for tourism.
The President said: “These places like the Rwenzori Mountains are very
beautiful and we should cherish them and make them safe. Even
non-Ugandans love them that’s why you see them coming here everyday
and visiting to see them and as a country we earn from them.”
Museveni, who thanked the French government for their support, said
although the UPDF was doing a good job securing the mountainous areas,
it was important in the modern era for the army to have a specialized
institute.
The President also inspected a set of modern equipment used in
mountain warfare training and operations such as Mountain climbing and
river crossing.
On her part, Ms Makame said the French government will partner with
Uganda and support the training.
The French lead instructor, Capt. Pierrick Balanche, commended the
UPDF for being a “reliable force”, adding that the trainees were good
learners, disciplined and physically fit.
The function was also attended by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces,
Lt. Gen. Charles Angina, the French military attaché to Uganda Lt.
Col. George Jacuno and the 2nd Division Commander Brig. Peter Erweru.
warfare training institute
END
