100 women enrol for paramilitary training

Brig Kayanja Muhanga (right), the 2nd Division army commander, instructs LDUs during target shooting exercise at Kaveera Army Barracks Training School in Kasese District last month. PHOTO BY ENID NINSIIMA

Kasese- More women have enrolled for the Local Defence Unit (LDU) training in Kasese District this year compared to the previous years, Daily Monitor has established.

Brig Kayanja Muhanga, the 2nd Division Commander, attributed the increment to efforts by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to put in place favourable conditions that have made the unit more appealing to women.

“I wish to say that the number of ladies has increased from 30 in last year’s recruitment to 110 this year, meaning that life is now better, the reason others have joined,” Brig Muhanga said in an interview with Daily Monitor on Monday.

A total of 1,789 people were recruited last year.
He said the UPDF is gender-sensitive and supports more women participation. “Each LDU will earn a monthly salary of Shs350,000, which was not the case in the past,” he said.

Brig Muhanga said in the past, LDUs would work voluntarily while others were paid peanuts by residents in the villages through a system set up by local council chairpersons where they would raise Shs500 from every household.

In the recent national training of LDUs in Kasese, women emerged the best at the training at Kaveera Army Barracks in Hima, Kasese District.

Private Enid Kabasinguzi emerged overall best trainee for the four months training followed by Private Sharif Kambugu, who was the best trainee in field practical, Private Xavier Olongot was the best in academics, while Private Barbara Nuwahereza was recognised as the most disciplined student.

“We are very impressed by the courage, determination and activeness, the women trainees showed during this training,” Brig Muhanga said.

The training that started in October 2018 and ended on February 22, saw 2,131 people recruited from all districts in Western Uganda and Buikwe District.

However, Brig Muhanga warned the LDUs that what makes the army strong is not the guns and materials used but rather the people and urged them to be pro-people in order to succeed.