Over 160 UPDF officers complete gunnery course

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KATAKWI - A total of one hundred sixty-one Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) trainees have been passed out after they completed officers' basic gunnery courses at the School of Artillery and Air Defence (SOFAAD) - Olilim, Katakwi District.

Speaking at the pass-out ceremony, Maj. Gen. Don William Nabasa, the 3rd Infantry Division Commander who represented the Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen. Muhanga Kayanja, commended the officers for exhibiting the required capabilities.

"The performance exhibited in the briefing and orders process as well as firing exercise/demonstration in the field is to the satisfaction of UPDF leadership," remarked Gen. Nabasa.

Gen. Nabasa challenged the junior officers that this course is the beginning of their career building and they have a long way to go which requires them to maintain conscious discipline, hard work, patriotism, and a healthy body to match the competing demands in service.

He thanked the strategic leadership for implementing the Commander in Chief's guidance to professionalise the army through regular training.

Some officers were rewarded.

Brig. Gen. Dan Kakono, the Commander of the Artillery Division, thanked the UPDF leadership for supporting infrastructural development at the school to enhance the learning environment.

He urged officers to utilise their skills to secure the country.  

The commandant SOFAAD, Col Stephen Ebulu, reported that the six-month course intake 7/23-24 (Artillery) and 10/23-24 (Air Defence) commenced on July 23, and achieved its aim of imparting leadership skills, command abilities, and gunnery knowledge to junior officers and develop their intellect, physical presence, professional competence and high moral character to become qualified and capable artillery troop commanders.

"I am satisfied that the officers will conduct their duties diligently in war and peace times when deployed in units," said Col Ebulu.

He thanked the people of Katakwi and Napak districts for their tolerance and cooperation in staying away from target areas as no complaints or injuries to humans or livestock were registered.

Col Ali Kiiza Kasauli, the director of Anti-Aircraft at the Land Forces headquarters, noted that the newly passed junior officers are earmarked to fill the existing command gaps. He thanked the Chieftaincy of Training and Recruitment for accepting to train officers in line with their career progression.

The officers at the ranks of captains - second lieutenants, including fifteen females, will be deployed in UPDF formations and units across the country. Also, officers who performed exceptionally well received prizes for recognition and motivation.

Present were Col Robert Katanaka the 205 AAC Brigade Commander, Lt Col Johnson Mwesigye the Division Operations and Training Officer-FAD, senior officers of the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, and local leaders among others.