Army saves money by using own trainers
Jun 08, 2009
THE Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has saved money by using its own trainers instead of expatriates, defence minister Crispus Kiyonga has disclosed.
By Doreen Musingo
and George Bita
THE Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has saved money by using its own trainers instead of expatriates, defence minister Crispus Kiyonga has disclosed.
Kiyonga said hiring experts from other countries to train the army was so expensive. He was presiding over the passout of 49 army officers at the Junior Staff College in Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja on Saturday.
“I am happy we now have our own professional trainers in various disciplines, including HIV/AIDS and public health. Funds that would have gone to hiring foreign experts will be diverted to the new course modules on the training syllabus,†he said.
Kiyonga added that training the army boosted its capacity to protect the country and other East African states. He advised the officers to embrace poverty alleviation programmes such as Prosperity-for-All.
“The Wazalendo SACCO in the army is doing well and has over sh10b. A fund is being set up under the UPDF Act for welfare issues. Once the budget is approved, the fund will support the Prosperity-for-All programme in the army,†Kiyonga added.
He advised officers staying with their families in the barracks to utilise the small gardens and grow seasonal crops to supplement their incomes.
The deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Ivan Koreta, thanked the spouses of the officers for supporting them during the course.
“As officers, you must be careful with your health and know that you cannot perform your duties if your health is not good. You should also take care of those under your command,†Koreta said.
Silver Kayemba, the commandant of the Junior Staff College, said: “The course is designed to prepare officers to join the senior staff ranks and for battle. We need professionals in the UPDF.â€
Kayemba said 50 officers, four of whom were from Sudan and another four from Tanzania, enrolled for the 16-week course.
He added that one of them was transferred to another mission, so he did not complete.
and George Bita
THE Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has saved money by using its own trainers instead of expatriates, defence minister Crispus Kiyonga has disclosed.
Kiyonga said hiring experts from other countries to train the army was so expensive. He was presiding over the passout of 49 army officers at the Junior Staff College in Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja on Saturday.
“I am happy we now have our own professional trainers in various disciplines, including HIV/AIDS and public health. Funds that would have gone to hiring foreign experts will be diverted to the new course modules on the training syllabus,†he said.
Kiyonga added that training the army boosted its capacity to protect the country and other East African states. He advised the officers to embrace poverty alleviation programmes such as Prosperity-for-All.
“The Wazalendo SACCO in the army is doing well and has over sh10b. A fund is being set up under the UPDF Act for welfare issues. Once the budget is approved, the fund will support the Prosperity-for-All programme in the army,†Kiyonga added.
He advised officers staying with their families in the barracks to utilise the small gardens and grow seasonal crops to supplement their incomes.
The deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Ivan Koreta, thanked the spouses of the officers for supporting them during the course.
“As officers, you must be careful with your health and know that you cannot perform your duties if your health is not good. You should also take care of those under your command,†Koreta said.
Silver Kayemba, the commandant of the Junior Staff College, said: “The course is designed to prepare officers to join the senior staff ranks and for battle. We need professionals in the UPDF.â€
Kayemba said 50 officers, four of whom were from Sudan and another four from Tanzania, enrolled for the 16-week course.
He added that one of them was transferred to another mission, so he did not complete.