Senior UPDF leaders root for skills training, apprenticeship

Senior UPDF leaders have emphasized the strategic value of apprenticeship in Uganda's quest to industrialise.  

Led by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi, the officers on Wednesday toured the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) - Machining, Manufacturing and Industrial Skills Training Centre (MMISTC) Project located within the Kampala Industrial and Business Park, Namanve.  

While taking the officers on a guided tour of both the skilling and manufacturing Centre, head of the UIRI Prof Charles Kwesiga Prof Kwesiga briefed officers on the objectives of the project.

The objectives include: developing a machining and manufacturing facility that employs state of the art technologies, focusing on manufacturing precision machined parts, training facilities that engage in modern pedagogy using industrial grade machines, manufacturing products to generate revenue and sustain the project and establishing workshops that will provide a platform for apprenticeship for technicians.

The officers, according to a release from Defence, commended both government and Prof  Kwesiga for his progressive approach in tackling challenges to development, singling skills development as one of them. 

Gen Muhoozi expressed UPDF's interest in partnering with UIRI to boost capacity within the forces' engineering department and also act as a vehicle for skilling soldiers in preparation for their life after retirement. 

Some of the skills training programmes to be conducted at this centre include; Computer Aided Engineering Design and Manufacturing, tie and dye production, precision machining, welding and fabrication, non-destructive laboratory testing, electronics and electoral systems design, among others.

The centre will boost the competitiveness of local industries, create a hub for robotic training and manufacturing that should contribute to easing manual industrious initiatives as well as produce a high-value human resource that will contribute to the effective operation of both the centre and the manufacturing sector.

CDF's entourage included:  the Deputy CDF Lt Gen Wilson Mbadi, Joint Chief of Staff Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, MD National Enterprise Corporation Lt Gen James Mugira, Commander Engineers Brigade Maj Gen Timothy Sabiiti, among others.