Jeje Odongo cautions Kimaka graduands against HIV

Nov 29, 2009

THE defence state minister, Maj. Gen. Jeje Odongo, has cautioned UPDF officers against reckless lifestyles, saying they could pay for it with their own lives.

By Doreen Musingo

THE defence state minister, Maj. Gen. Jeje Odongo, has cautioned UPDF officers against reckless lifestyles, saying they could pay for it with their own lives.

Odongo said reckless living was spreading HIV, especially amongst married couples.

“President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned us over living recklessly. This has led to the continued loss of our soldiers, not in combat but due to the deadly disease. Ironically, this can be controlled if we are disciplined,” Odongo said.

He made the remarks on Thursday during the pass-out of 39 officers at the Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka in Jinja.

The course was attended by two Kenyan officers, four from Tanzania, two from Rwanda, three from Southern Sudan and 28 from Uganda.

The curriculum covered a wide range of topics which are not restricted to only military affairs, Odongo explained.

“By establishing a college like this, we help the region and the continent. The interaction of students from different backgrounds goes a long way in fostering greater co-operation amongst sister states,” he said.

The UPDF chief of defence forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, said they were celebrating the graduation of officers as well as 10 years of achievements under the East African Community (EAC), which unites 125 million.

“Our people can now move freely with goods and services in the region. Our part as military leaders is to bring together the soldiers of the community into one family,” Nyakairima said.

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