The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Nakasongola, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, the Deputy Chief of Defense Forces has blamed the attacks on security personnel partly on negligence.
In November this year, assailants attacked a Sentry along Ambercourt road in Gaddafi Barracks, Jinja killing one soldier and taking two SMG rifles. An assailant also attacked a joint security team on patrol killing one soldier in Kapeeka town, Nakaseke.
Other attacks have left Policemen and security guards, as well as guns stolen. Lieutenant General Elwelu said that some attacks are a result of security personnel neglecting basic guard skills acquired during training and preparation ahead of duty.
Elwelu said this on Friday while passing out 51 middle-rank officers who completed four vigorous training at Uganda Air Force College located in Nakasongola Military barracks.
He added that some soldiers exhibit good skills during a pass out but after deployments, they don’t practice what they are taught. Elwelu said some security personnel wake up from home and rush to duties without any briefing from supervisors which should be a daily requirement.
The middle-rank officers also referred to as non-commissioned senior officers acquired skills in aviation mechanics, airworthiness and technical ground support among other skills.
Lieutenant General Charles Okidi, the Commander of Uganda People’s Defense Air Force (UPDAF) said the objective of the college is to develop into an international military aviation school and ensure it awards degrees as well as diplomas recognized by National Council for Higher Education.
Okidi added that to achieve this, they will need support to improve facilities and develop capabilities for trainers among others. He also noted that rehabilitation of Nakasongola UPDAF Airbase is near completion and it will also help to decongest Entebbe Airport.
Colonel James Muhwezi the Commander of Uganda Air Force College says that since its inception, the College has produced over 1500 personnel qualified in different technical courses to support UPDAF.
Both Muhwezi and Okidi asked for more budget allocation due to the significance of the Air Force in military today.
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