Over 1,700 UPDF soldiers for Somalia
Feb 14, 2010
A TOTAL of 1,750 Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers have been passed out for the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
By Ayiga Ondoga
A TOTAL of 1,750 Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers have been passed out for the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The event was presided over by the commander of the lands forces, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, at Singo training camp in Nakaseke district on Friday.
The soldiers underwent a one-month training in cordon-and-search, convoy escort, checkpoint monitoring, short-range shooting and self-defence.
They also obtained skills in landmine detection, first aid, vehicle maintenance, media management and building relationships with civilians.
The training was conducted by 37 Belgian and French army instructors.
Katumba thanked the Belgian and French governments for supporting peacekeeping missions in Africa. “The skills will be put to good use when our soldiers are in Mogadishu,†he said.
Present were French ambassador Rene Forceville, commander of the French forces based in Djibouti, Brig. Gen. Thierry Casper Fille-Lambie, and the Belgium defence attaché, Lt. Col. Pol Ameye.
A TOTAL of 1,750 Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers have been passed out for the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The event was presided over by the commander of the lands forces, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, at Singo training camp in Nakaseke district on Friday.
The soldiers underwent a one-month training in cordon-and-search, convoy escort, checkpoint monitoring, short-range shooting and self-defence.
They also obtained skills in landmine detection, first aid, vehicle maintenance, media management and building relationships with civilians.
The training was conducted by 37 Belgian and French army instructors.
Katumba thanked the Belgian and French governments for supporting peacekeeping missions in Africa. “The skills will be put to good use when our soldiers are in Mogadishu,†he said.
Present were French ambassador Rene Forceville, commander of the French forces based in Djibouti, Brig. Gen. Thierry Casper Fille-Lambie, and the Belgium defence attaché, Lt. Col. Pol Ameye.