US Commander Hails UPDF

By Alfred WasikeMAJOR General Michael Wooley, the overall commander of Medflag 2002, the code-name for the United States-organised two-week regional humanitarian disaster preparedness course in Soroti, has described Uganda as a strong US ally and hailed the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces for exemplary discipline and morale. Wooley, also the commander of the US Third Air Force based in England, made the remarks at Entebbe Botanical Beach Hotel at the end of a disaster management course designed for Uganda. Ugandan police and other organisations participated.Second Deputy Premier/ Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, General Moses Ali, said Uganda has finally formulated a comprehensive National Disaster Preparedness and Management Policy.The Medflag 2002 spokesperson, Major Michel Dewerth, said Uganda hosted armies from Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, Netherlands, France and the UK for the training that opened on August 19 and winds up on Friday.Wooley said, “Sincerely we are very impressed with the exemplary discipline and morale exhibited by the men and women of the UPDF. The UPDF is an army other armies in Africa should emulate.”“It is very good for us to train with good friends and strong allies like Uganda and others around the world,” Wooley said.Ali, who was accompanied by the disaster preparedness state minister Christine Aporu, said Uganda has been prone to many natural and manmade disasters which have displaced thousands of Ugandans.Ends