UPDF Spouses Strengthen Ties With Indian Counterparts

Wives of soldiers from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF Spouses) have hosted their counterparts from the Armed Wives Warfare Association (AWWA) from the Republic of India at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

The Under Secretary for Finance and Administration in the Ministry of Defence, Edith Buturo who represented the Permanent Secretary thanked the Indian Army spouses for identifying with UPDF spouses which she said wa a good way of strengthening the bilateral relations between Uganda and India.

She said the Defence Ministry is proud of UPDF because of the respect it gives women.

Mrs Rebecca Mugume, Head of UPDF Spouses Desk, in her remarks, said the Desk empowers spouses of officers and men of the army with professional skills that are competitive on the world market so that they can earn extra income for their families.

It was started in 2007 under the Chieftaincy of Political Commissariat.

“As an invisible hand of the army, UPDF Spouses Desk aims at equipping spouses of soldiers with competent skills that can penetrate the market through training in financial literacy, artcraft, culture, technological innovation and creativity, as well as political education, among other skills” noted Mrs Mugume.

She further mentioned that the desk avails opportunities to get access to cheap financial schemes as well as equipping members with skills in commendable apiary, baking, poultry, and piggery, among others.

Mrs Savita Ghai from AWWA in India said their organization was formed in 1966 with an aim to give shape to ideas and projects which project its future image.

She applauded the UPDF for providing steady income to spouses through thick and thin.

“A military life is not known until it is lived. You may think you know but you don’t until you actually live it,” she observed.

“Sometimes it’s easy, other times depressing and lonely and only a certain number of ladies can endure it”, added Mrs Ghai.

Mrs Buturo thanked the visiting delegation for sharing with them the professional ways of mobilizing women for financial activities so as to be part of the economy.