Ugee

The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People s Defence Forces (UPDF), General Yoweri Museveni, has thanked the people of Uganda for supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) governmentas reported by the Uganda media center. He said their decision has provided the Movement government enough time to build a multifaceted army capable of dealing with the defence challenges of the country.

The President was yesterday passing out over 250 UPDF trainees who have been undergoing a 10-month Tank Crew Course at the Armoured Training School at Karama in Mubende district. General Museveni said that the past regimes had flatly failed to build a multi-dimensional army adding that NRM has finally achieved that goal because of the continued support by the people of Uganda. 

This is the first time in history Uganda has had enough continuity to build the 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 but it is the effectiveness of the army , he said. General Museveni, who had earlier commissioned a modern High Tech Tank Crew Training Centre, said that the professionalism drive of the army is to continue. 

This is really a unique time for the people of Uganda and we are continuing to build the army , he added. The Commander-in-Chief, however, urged members of the defence forces to diligently take care of their weapons.  Regard it as your baby. Look after the weapon diligently because it can save the lives of the people of Uganda , the President advised. He further urged the graduands in particular 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 counseled. General Museveni earlier watched a spectacular military exercise performed by the graduands of the Tank Crew Course whom he congratulated for the marksmanship.

The Chief of the Defence Forces, General Aronda Nyakairima, disclosed that the fundamentals of the training strategies will remain the same. He added that public health programmes will be included in the mainstream courses. President Museveni later awarded prizes to the best performers in the Tank Crew and Infantry Fighting Vehicles Basic Crew Courses. The overall best student in the Tank Crew Course was Lt. R.K. Kwizera and that of Infantry Fighting Vehicles Basic Course was Lt. James Zikusooka.

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