The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Chief of Staff (COS) at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC), Brig Gen Steven Tumwesigye Kashure, flagged off a UPDF Contingent for a Field Training Exercise (FTX) Cord-named ‘Justified Accord’ 2023 (JA 23) in Kenya.
The function was held at URDCC headquarters, Gaddafi Barracks, in Jinja.
JA 23 is a multinational national exercise that brings together more than 20 countries from three continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping operations, crisis response, and humanitarian assistance.
Kenya will host activities primarily in Nairobi and Isiolo.
The 14-day training exercise will feature a multinational Command Post Exercise, an AU staff officers’ course, a 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 themselves 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.
“As you move, you should be confident and proud that you have been selected amongst many, you should consider yourselves lucky not everybody is going to have this experience,” Brig Gen Kashure noted.
He further encouraged the Contingent to represent Uganda and UPDF very well.
“UPDF is known to have scored many successes and achievements, and we have a very good track record which you should maintain at all times,” he stated.
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 that 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 preparing 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.