The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, has said that a total of Shs6.8bn has been earmarked for Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) training institutions including the construction of the tank gunship at Karama Training School.
He was speaking Friday during the pass out of 391 trainees who have successfully completed their training in Platoon Commander and Armoured Basic Crew Courses at the Armoured Warfare Training School- Karama in Mubende district.
Gen Mbadi emphasized the relevance of the course in modern warfare, saying it’s a vital and regular member of the combat support to the field commander because it brings decisive objectives due to its high mobility, superior firepower, protection and shock action characteristics, thus enabling quick means of achieving the ultimate objective which is the destruction of the enemy.
He said Karama Armoured Warfare Training School is currently the only training centre “for exposing our young soldiers to the proficient tactics and employment of armour. We’ll keep emphasizing that the machine is as good as its operator”.
He encouraged the graduates to always remember the core values on which the UPDF is built namely; discipline, teamwork, integrity, love for knowledge, patriotism, and frugality among others and to observe the UPDF code of conduct by maintaining a positive relationship between the army and the public.
“You must also keep healthy and fit for the purpose for which we have recruited you and for your wellbeing. Stick to those and the sky will be the limit,” he noted.
The commandant of Karama Armoured Warfare Training School Brig Gen Peter Chandia informed the President that the course objectives have been achieved.
These include among others; developing individual crew member skills and proficiency in gunnery and driving, developing single weapon crew coordination skills necessary for operation, producing armour platoon commanders who are well prepared to offer leadership to armour platoons and imparting to the platoon commanders.
The Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Vincent Ssempijja, urged the graduates to put to good use the acquired knowledge for long-term stability and security.
“The completion of this course is not just about you. It is also about the love for your motherland Uganda and its long-term stability. I want to inform you that strengthening the security of our nation is only possible through well-trained and educated military personnel that are able to meet the security demands,” Hon Sempijja said.
Karama Armoured Warfare Training School is the premier UPDF institution for training and developing armour commanders, Armor crews, Armor instructors, Armor technicians and Armor maintenance personnel.
The school also conducts refresher and pre-deployment mission training for armour sub-units and Armor components that are part of battle groups with the aim of enhancing their lethality and functional capabilities to execute combined arms land operations.
The ceremony was attended by among other Members of Parliament, Service commanders, Officers and militants of the armoured warfare training school, and religious and local leaders.
