Museveni passes out tank crew
Nov 09, 2008
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has passed out 250 UPDF officers who have been undergoing a 10-month Tank Crew Course at the Armoured Training School at Karama in Mubende district.
By Conan Businge
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has passed out 250 UPDF officers who have been undergoing a 10-month Tank Crew Course at the Armoured Training School at Karama in Mubende district.
Before the pass-out on Saturday, Museveni commissioned a modern tank crew centre.
The centre, which houses equipment used in training soldiers in the use of modern armoury, is expected to improve the drive to professionalise the army, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Gen. Museveni.
According to a statement from State House, Museveni explained that the past regimes had “flatly failed to build a multi-dimensional army,†adding that the National Resistance Movement had finally achieved the goal.
Before the pass-out, Museveni watched a spectacular military exercise performed by the graduands, whom he congratulated on their marksmanship.
“This is really a unique time for the people of Uganda and we are continuing to build the army,†he said.
The ceremony was attended by Mubende district officials and family members and relatives of the graduands.
The President urged members of the defence forces to take good care of their weapons.
“Regard it as your baby. Look after the weapon diligently because it can save the lives of Ugandans,†Museveni advised.
He also urged the graduands and the youth in general to be disciplined, guard against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, avoid alcohol and plan for their lives.
“If you plan for your life to be around for sometime, you must be disciplined. If you are not disciplined, you will expire quickly,†he counselled.
Museveni later awarded prizes to the best performers in the tank and infantry fighting vehicles basic crew courses.
The overall best student in the Tank Crew Course was Lt. R.K. Kwizera and that from the Infantry Fighting Vehicles Basic Course was Lt. James Zikusooka.
The best disciplined student in the tank course was Private Juliet Uwimana and that in the fighting vehicles course was Lance Corporal Michael Jurugo.
At the same function, the President thanked Ugandans for supporting the NRM government for over 20 years.
He said this had provided the NRM government enough time to build a multi-faceted army, capable of dealing with the defence challenges of the country.
“This is the first time in history Uganda has had enough continuity to build an army able to cope with the defence challenges of the country.
“The country is now peaceful and quiet, even in Karamoja. Do not think that we are using witchcraft, it is the effectiveness of the army,†he said.
The Chief of the Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, disclosed that public health programmes would be included in the mainstream military courses.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has passed out 250 UPDF officers who have been undergoing a 10-month Tank Crew Course at the Armoured Training School at Karama in Mubende district.
Before the pass-out on Saturday, Museveni commissioned a modern tank crew centre.
The centre, which houses equipment used in training soldiers in the use of modern armoury, is expected to improve the drive to professionalise the army, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Gen. Museveni.
According to a statement from State House, Museveni explained that the past regimes had “flatly failed to build a multi-dimensional army,†adding that the National Resistance Movement had finally achieved the goal.
Before the pass-out, Museveni watched a spectacular military exercise performed by the graduands, whom he congratulated on their marksmanship.
“This is really a unique time for the people of Uganda and we are continuing to build the army,†he said.
The ceremony was attended by Mubende district officials and family members and relatives of the graduands.
The President urged members of the defence forces to take good care of their weapons.
“Regard it as your baby. Look after the weapon diligently because it can save the lives of Ugandans,†Museveni advised.
He also urged the graduands and the youth in general to be disciplined, guard against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, avoid alcohol and plan for their lives.
“If you plan for your life to be around for sometime, you must be disciplined. If you are not disciplined, you will expire quickly,†he counselled.
Museveni later awarded prizes to the best performers in the tank and infantry fighting vehicles basic crew courses.
The overall best student in the Tank Crew Course was Lt. R.K. Kwizera and that from the Infantry Fighting Vehicles Basic Course was Lt. James Zikusooka.
The best disciplined student in the tank course was Private Juliet Uwimana and that in the fighting vehicles course was Lance Corporal Michael Jurugo.
At the same function, the President thanked Ugandans for supporting the NRM government for over 20 years.
He said this had provided the NRM government enough time to build a multi-faceted army, capable of dealing with the defence challenges of the country.
“This is the first time in history Uganda has had enough continuity to build an army able to cope with the defence challenges of the country.
“The country is now peaceful and quiet, even in Karamoja. Do not think that we are using witchcraft, it is the effectiveness of the army,†he said.
The Chief of the Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, disclosed that public health programmes would be included in the mainstream military courses.