UPDF, French soldiers conduct Rwenzori joint military exercise
A Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier trains in mountain warfare and rope climbing recently. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
The chief instructor, Lt Col JK Kiyengo, preached teamwork.
Kampala. Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers and a group of French troops are conducting a joint military training code-named “Mountain Ghost” in Ntoroko District, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo where the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels operate.
According to a statement issued by the UPDF on Friday, the 10-day exercise, which commenced on Monday, is to make UPDF soldiers’ “manoeuverability within the mountain easier as far as protecting the country is concerned”. The soldiers are practising different military tactics, including obstacle crossing and patrols.
The Commandant of Karugutu Training School, Col Dothan Mukasa Kavuma, said the UPDF has acquired the equipment to fight in mountainous areas.
“Initially, we had problems of fighting tactics and advanced equipment to be used in the mountains, now we are well equipped with modern tools, enough knowledge and experience shared with our French colleagues,’’ Col Kavuma said.
During the ADF insurgence in the 1990s and early 2000s, the rebels established bases in Mt Rwenzori region and would use them to attack the low lands in Kabarole, Kasese and Ntoroko districts. The French later signed a military cooperation agreement with the UPDF to train soldiers in mountain. The mountain warfare training began in 2016.
Teamwork
The chief instructor, Lt Col JK Kiyengo, preached teamwork.
“In UPDF, there is no competition but cooperation and teamwork, so help each other because you cannot work alone,” he said.
The administrative officer of Karugutu Training School, Maj Adam Kyeyune, encouraged trainees to endure and work hard until the end of the exercise.
The head of the French troops contigent, Maj Asedu, said the French will continue “sharing knowledge, help and also learn from their Ugandan counterparts during the training exercise”.
Karugutu Training School was established three years ago with the help of the French government and it specialises in mountain warfare courses.
