By Charity Namubiru
The 3rd Division Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Major General Don William Nabasa, has urged troops to embrace intensive training in order to enhance operation efficiency and effectiveness so as to pacify Karamoja and foster socio-economic transformation of the sub-region.
Maj Gen Nabasa made the remarks while officiating at the passing out of 336 soldiers who completed a three and a half-month refresher training in combat readiness and effectiveness intake 02/2023 at Kolinyang, Napak District.
“You must embrace hard training in order for us to be combat ready. Maintaining operation efficiency and effectiveness is key to the pacification of the Karamoja Sub-region, which creates conducive conditions for socio-economic transformation,” remarked Maj. Gen. Nabasa.
Maj Gen Nabasa noted that the UPDF being the vanguard of creating security and peace, the forces must perform their constitutional obligation for total normalcy to return to enable the people to adapt to other economic ventures rather than inter-community cattle rustling.
The Division Commander explained that in addition to a force approach to degrade hardcore criminals, the joint security forces embraced and embarked on voluntary means and campaigns focused on positive mindset change and security-community mobilization strategies to recover more arms.
On his part, Col. James Barigye Rukundo, 3 Division Operation and Training Officer, said that the training scope was rich in skills, making troops more oriented and acclimated to the disarmament operational environment.
Private Nyamusesa Abdallah was best in field and class; Private Aseera Ronnet was overall female in range exercise; and Private Amongin Salume attained a gift for overall discipline. Other performers who were recognized were Private Bwambale Malik and Private Bwambale Simon Mule.
The Division Training Officer, who also doubles as the Chief Instructor, Major Richard Ariko, thanked the security leadership of the division for continued support and guidance rendered to the instructional team and facility that made the training a success.
Present at the pass-out ceremony were ACP Francis Chemusto, Mountain Moroto Regional Police Commander, Brigade and Battalion Commanders, and senior officers of the UPDF, UPF, and ASTU, among others.