US Army trains presidential guards
May 25, 2010
US Army experts have trained officers of the Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB) in a bid to strengthen the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
By Francis Kagolo
US Army experts have trained officers of the Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB) in a bid to strengthen the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The 150 officers underwent training in building civil-military relations and peace support operations during a two-week course held at Kasenyi army training school in Entebbe.
The training focused on involving security personnel in rescuing civilians in emergency situations.
Passing out the trainees on Friday, Maj. Jesus Rodriguez, the US officer in charge of civil military operations, commended the UPDF for its peacekeeping operations in Somalia and other countries in the region.
He pledged more logistical and moral support to strengthen the UPDF to combat terrorism and other insurgencies in the region.
“We intend to continue supporting the UPDF to build it into one of the best peace- keeping forces in the region,†he said, promising more sessions for other officers.
During the pass-out, the team mingled with civilians around Entebbe and donated 2,250 textbooks to five primary schools. The books included those for social studies, science, English and mathematics.
Rodriguez said the donation was aimed at showing the UPDF the importance of relating with the local people.
Eddy Candiga, the PGB spokesperson, said the new skills would help the unit improve its operations and ensuring security in the country.
“We need to have a cordial relationship with the local people so that they stop looking at soldiers as enemies. This course has come at the right time,†Candiga said.
US Army experts have trained officers of the Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB) in a bid to strengthen the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The 150 officers underwent training in building civil-military relations and peace support operations during a two-week course held at Kasenyi army training school in Entebbe.
The training focused on involving security personnel in rescuing civilians in emergency situations.
Passing out the trainees on Friday, Maj. Jesus Rodriguez, the US officer in charge of civil military operations, commended the UPDF for its peacekeeping operations in Somalia and other countries in the region.
He pledged more logistical and moral support to strengthen the UPDF to combat terrorism and other insurgencies in the region.
“We intend to continue supporting the UPDF to build it into one of the best peace- keeping forces in the region,†he said, promising more sessions for other officers.
During the pass-out, the team mingled with civilians around Entebbe and donated 2,250 textbooks to five primary schools. The books included those for social studies, science, English and mathematics.
Rodriguez said the donation was aimed at showing the UPDF the importance of relating with the local people.
Eddy Candiga, the PGB spokesperson, said the new skills would help the unit improve its operations and ensuring security in the country.
“We need to have a cordial relationship with the local people so that they stop looking at soldiers as enemies. This course has come at the right time,†Candiga said.