Minister hails China for training army
Jun 14, 2009
THE defence state minister, Lt. Gen. J.J. Odongo, has hailed the Chinese government for training army officers.
By Doreen Musingo
THE defence state minister, Lt. Gen. J.J. Odongo, has hailed the Chinese government for training army officers.
“This is a great opportunity to develop skills. When we get a chance (to train), we should take it seriously because the UPDF has a constitutional mandate to protect and conserve the country,†Odongo said.
“The security environment and the concept of war has changed. Officers must be prepared for intra-state conflict.
We are preparing the UPDF for operations against inter-rebellion, peacekeeping missions and supporting the civil authority. In 1986, training was seen as a punishment, today we are seeking the chance to be trained.â€
Odongo made the remarks while presiding over the passout of 31 army officers who graduated in the battalion commander’s course at the Junior Staff College at the Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja last Monday.
He said UPDF officers had been trained by the French, Americans, the British and Russian forces.
A representative of the Chinese team, Col. Zhang Debing, said the training would improve relations between the UPDF and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army.
“In armed forces of major power states, almost all officers have bachelor’s degrees or have studied in a junior college. About 98.6% of US active officers have degrees, 48% of whom have masters’ degrees.†Debing said.
Lt. Col. Sam Omara of the Junior Staff College said 31 officers were trained.
“The skills gained should help them uplift the standards of performance wherever they are deployed and they should organise training at whatever levels of deployment,†he said.
Omara advised the officers to be committed, determined and disciplined.
Maj Richard Okwakol was award a certificate for being the best overall officer, while Maj. P.O. Ojera performed well in class work and Capt. Jackson Ochiti in field work.
THE defence state minister, Lt. Gen. J.J. Odongo, has hailed the Chinese government for training army officers.
“This is a great opportunity to develop skills. When we get a chance (to train), we should take it seriously because the UPDF has a constitutional mandate to protect and conserve the country,†Odongo said.
“The security environment and the concept of war has changed. Officers must be prepared for intra-state conflict.
We are preparing the UPDF for operations against inter-rebellion, peacekeeping missions and supporting the civil authority. In 1986, training was seen as a punishment, today we are seeking the chance to be trained.â€
Odongo made the remarks while presiding over the passout of 31 army officers who graduated in the battalion commander’s course at the Junior Staff College at the Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja last Monday.
He said UPDF officers had been trained by the French, Americans, the British and Russian forces.
A representative of the Chinese team, Col. Zhang Debing, said the training would improve relations between the UPDF and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army.
“In armed forces of major power states, almost all officers have bachelor’s degrees or have studied in a junior college. About 98.6% of US active officers have degrees, 48% of whom have masters’ degrees.†Debing said.
Lt. Col. Sam Omara of the Junior Staff College said 31 officers were trained.
“The skills gained should help them uplift the standards of performance wherever they are deployed and they should organise training at whatever levels of deployment,†he said.
Omara advised the officers to be committed, determined and disciplined.
Maj Richard Okwakol was award a certificate for being the best overall officer, while Maj. P.O. Ojera performed well in class work and Capt. Jackson Ochiti in field work.