A team of ten railway engineers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have returned from China where they were undergoing a three months specialized training in engineering.
The Managing Director of National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), Maj Gen James Mugira who officiated at the function thanked Chinese Harbor Engineering Construction (CHEC) for fully sponsoring the course.
He extended gratitude towards the Chinese government for offering support in building capacity of the engineers, and for continuously standing with Ugandans since independence.
Gen Mugira, further appreciated the authorities of Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, particularly Prof Wang Yaesen, the Chancellor of the University who accompanied the students back home.
“Prof, thank you for accompanying the students back home, you must have been satisfied by their performance” he said.
Mr. Wang, the representative from CHEC encouraged the UPDF trainees that their newly acquired skills would soon be put to good use. He added that CHEC will work together with the engineers in the best and most efficient way.
Wang said that this training is part of a wider commitment by CHEC to ensure that Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) remains a Ugandan Project.
“I cannot stress enough how important a railway like the SGR is in the development of Uganda and the East African region as a whole,” Wang said.
“Railways are the backbone of China’s economy and we are excited to share these benefits with Uganda” he said.
The function was attended by Mr. Alfred Abong the construction manager for SGR, Brig Ddiba Sentongo among others.