The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbadi yesterday officiated the closure of a 7-months political orientation course for Uganda Battle Group XXXIII at the Peace Support Operations Training School (PSO – TC) in Singo, Nakaseke District.
He encouraged the soldiers to effectively use the UPDF resources to excel.
“This is the 12th pre-mission ideological training since ideological rejuvenation for AMISOM destined battle groups commenced at PSO-TC Singo with BG XXII in June 2017,” the Defence Spokesperson, Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso has said in statement.
2,255 members of in-service soldiers, combat arms and services were passed out under the Command of Col Ezra Byaruhanga.
In attendance was the Commandant, Brig Gen Bonny Wolimbwa, the Director Political Education Land Forces Col Anatoli Nuwagira who represented the Chief Political Commisar(CPC), and United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) Commander Lt Col Mugungu, among others.
According to UPDF’s statement, the objectives of the training were to enhance ideological awareness among the troops and open the members’ perspective on matters of individual, institutional and national consciousness and to instill conscious displine among the troops, especially in mission areas where UPDF’s image is paramount.
BG XXXIII has been exposed to a wide ranging package including the importance of ideological development in UPDF, political economy, revolutionary philosophy, mindset change, history of Uganda since pre-colonial era to date, Uganda’s resources, development and understanding subversive tendencies and revolutionary methods of work, family and parentage, financial literacy, counseling and guidance/physcho-social support , ethics and military, patriotism, offences and punishment , ethics and morality and media in operational areas among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CDF emphasized efficiency and effectiveness in delivery of UPDF’s mandate. He emphasized efficiency in utilisation of available material to the best advantage, as strategic and operational needs decrease in a resource constrained environment with a cocktail of complexities and challenges that impose limitations on decision makers and implementers.
He also shared highlights on mandatory authority, vision 2040 that identifies defence, peace and security as core, UPDF vision and core mission and Uganda’s vision for defence as a strategic goal for Uganda, as well as prosperity by modernizing and causing a metamorphosis of Ugandan society into a middle class, skilled working class and eventually into a knowledge based class among others.
Gen Mbadi wished the troops the best in their service while on mission in Somalia.
