UPDF | AIR FORCE | ELWELU

NAKASONGOLA - The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, has passed out Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at the Uganda Air Force College (UAFC) in Nakasongola District.

Passing out the officers on Friday (December 23), Elwelu encouraged the graduands to be vigilant with life and maintain discipline as the core foundation of the army.

“Life begins and ends with your creed. Once put into action, you will successfully accomplish your mission,” he said, adding, “UPDF is a disciplined force. We are what we are because of discipline. If we lose out on discipline, then we have lost out as an army.” 

He thanked course instructors for imparting knowledge to the grandaunts and congratulated the officers for completing their training successfully, imploring them to practice what they have learned for the continuity of peace and security in the country.

The Commander UPDF Air Force, Lt Gen Charles Okidi, thanked the President and Commander in Chief, President Yoweri Museveni for supporting the college, especially in the area of training.

He noted that the college intends to grow to the standard of international military aviation schools so that it can be certified to train and issue students with degrees, diplomas and certificates that are recognized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

He applauded the graduands for keeping discipline, hard work and teamwork. “Technically you have been doing excellent and now you have been powered with leadership skills and ideological clarity. I can now rely on you to do your work professionally and please pass this good knowledge to others,” he remarked.

He further noted that the operational readiness of the Air Force depends on the serviceability of the various air assets and the availability of trained personnel at different levels.

Col James Muhwezi, the Commandant of the Uganda Air Force College, highlighted that the college has reduced the cost of training Air Force personnel since they are now trained internally. 

The graduands covered military law, field craft, air operations, skills at arms and tactics, and political education, among others

In attendance was the Nakasongola RDC Lt (Rtd) Saleh Kamba, Commandant Kaweweta Training School Brig Gen JB Ruhesi, Commandant Peace Support Operations Training Center in Singo Brig Gen Max Gumisiriza, Director of training for the Special Forces Command Col JB Asinguza, among others.

UAFC is composed of three training schools that include the Air Command and Leadership Training School, Technical Aviation Training School and the Ground-Based Air Defence Training School (GBAD).