It’s Not Nairobi Conquering, UPDF Contingent Flagged Off to Kenya For a Multinational Field Training
By: Kyeyune Ali
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Chief of Staff (COS) at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Center (URDCC), Brig Gen. Steven Tumwesigye Kashure has on Thursday flagged off a UPDF Contingent for a Field Training Exercise in Kenya.
The function was held at URDCC headquarters, Gaddafi Barracks, in Jinja.
The Multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from three continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping operations, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.
The 14-days training exercise will feature a multinational Command Post Exercise, AU staff officers course, defensive Cyber Course, and MEDICAP, among others.
In his briefing, Brig Gen. Kashure implored the UPDF Contingent to maintain discipline as the key to success in the upcoming exercise.
“Without discipline you can easily be diverted and fail to achieve your goals; issues to do with absenteeism, alcohol or drug abuse shouldn’t be registered as you go for this task,” Brig Gen Kashure cautioned the contingent.
He emphasized professionalism, urging everybody to acquaint himself with what they are required to do, know exactly which role they are supposed to play and take in much more information for future operations for the good of the country and the region.
The UPDF contingent leader for the exercise Lt Col Paul Mukasa Kyolaba pledged full command and control of the forces and thanked the UPDF leadership for entrusting him with the opportunity.
“I am thankful for this great moment of entrusting me to command this group. We are going to put all what we have been told to do into practice for the success of the task ahead of us,” Lt Col Mukasa remarked.
This exercise is sponsored by the Southern European Task Force Africa (SETAF-AF) and the United States Joint Force.
Other participating armies in the exercise include: British Army, Netherlands, Angola, Botswana, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda contingent, among others.
The training is aimed at building synergies and increasing multinational interoperability in support of counter terrorism, crisis response, and prepare regional partners for UN and AU mandated missions.
The flag off function was witnessed by the URDCC heads of departments and UPDD Senior Officers from Gaddafi Barracks.