By Chris Kiwawulo
 
The Uganda People's Defence Air Force -UPDAF is conducting rehearsals to display their might at the Independence Jubilee celebrations Tuesday.

Several jet fighter planes have since the beginning of this week been a common sight in the airspace in and around Kampala as pilots sharpen their skills.

"It is a rare spectacle I want to see these planes," remarked one Kampala resident as he rushed of his office when he heard the thunderous sound as the jets sliced through the skies on Saturday.

UPDF spokesperson Col. Felix Kulayigye said; "what you are seeing are rehearsals for independence day celebrations."

The display characterized by swift movement and tumbling of the jets left many fascinated by the pilots' skills, as some were even seen getting out of their offices to catch a glimpse of the jets.

During last year's independence celebrations held in Lira, the air force also held an air display leaving the residents in the northern Uganda district excited.

Last year, Uganda added to its fleet of fighter planes when the country acquired several Sukhoi Su-30mK2 fighter planes. Kulayigye recently said the fighter planes and other military hardware were bought partly in preparation for the start of oil production in the Lake Albert region.

While inspecting the jets in July last year, the commander in-chief and President, Gen. Yoweri Museveni said the fighter jets were manufactured on order to last and fit Uganda's military needs contrary to reports that they were second-hand.

Since Friday Security forces, selected schools and universities and a  cross section of the public service  representatives have been having rehearsals in preparation  for the fete.