UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, has called upon Officers and Men of the mighty UPDF to continue sacrificing for their motherland Uganda so that future generations live in a peaceful country.
He made the call during CDF Mobilisation Exercise at Kabamba Training School.
Lt Gen Elwelu is heading team 2 which is traversing 1 Infantry Division area of responsibility.
The CDF Mobilisation Exercise started in 2021. It’s aimed at creating an interactive environment between the UPDF strategic leadership and soldiers in their formations as part of the NRA/ UPDF time-tested revolutionary method of work (Barazas).
During the exercise issues discussed include: Health, Ideology, UPDF History, Discipline, Security, Uganda’s Prosperity, Fighting corruption and Environment Protection, among others.
Lt Gen Elwelu cautioned the UPDF fraternity against living a flamboyant lifestyle which causes stress through multiple borrowing of money and advised them to always live within their means.
He reminded the Officers and Men that they should avoid “Love for soft life” and being taken up by money and material things observing that countries with Armies that are money oriented and materialistic have always collapsed.
He further noted that we should not assume that we have reached but tighten our belts to handle the challenges ahead.
He advised them that it’s necessary to live “a down-to-earth lifestyle” while remaining in the correct line and the rest will follow and there is time for everything Ecclesiastes Chapter 3.
Brig Gen Patrick Mwesigye, the Commissioner for Patriotism in the Office of the President who led the CDF mobilisation exercise team to Armoured Brigade Headquarters in Masaka, assured the officers and men of Armoured Brigade and 305 Brigade that Uganda has got a very bright future in the next five to ten years to come.
Brig Gen Mwesigye said that with stable security, leadership and mineral resources, Uganda is destined for greatness.
He assured the soldiers that with Patriotism, Discipline and healthy living they will achieve the best in their military career and life.
He added that soldiers’ welfare is paramount and reiterated the need to build a country where everyone is happy.
He called upon soldiers to desist from being used by opportunists and wrong elements like land grabbers.
Brig Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, 1 Infantry Division Commander warned soldiers not to leave a soft life and forget the oath they took before the president.
He reminded them to always remember that they are a Peoples’ Army and avoid doing things that are against the interest of the people of Uganda. He cautioned them against gun misuse.
Brig Gen Moses Kwikiriza, the Chief of Mubende Rehabilitation Centre (CMRC) highlighted what UPDF and the government does to survivors or heroes that are injured in the line of duty ie Rehabilitation, Training and Psycho-social support is given to those with mental, and physical or multiple injuries.
Col Vincent Bagambaki the Armoured Brigade Administration officer who represented the Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Deus Sande, thanked the team for the timely, informative and educative updates from the strategic military leadership.
The team also launched the tree planting campaign aimed at environmental protection at the Brigade Headquarters and the nearby units.