Encroachers on army land risk being shot - Museveni

NAKASEKE- President Museveni has warned Ugandans against encroaching or straying to cultivate or graze livestock on land owned by the army.

Gen Museveni, who was on Tuesday presiding over the pass out of about 3,000 soldiers at Oliver Tambo School of Leadership in Nakaseke District, said the encroachers risk being accidentally shot by the soldiers on training.
“You locals, stop encroaching on army land. Do you want to cause problems? What if you are shot when our officers are doing their rehearsals,” said Gen Museveni , who is also the Commander-in-Chief.
UPDF training schools own hundreds of square miles of land that is used for training and long range shooting exercises, but farmers have been encroaching on it in different parts of the country.
The army has not been able to provide information on how much land it owns.

The institution, however, has vast tracts at training schools in Kabamba, Mubende, Kaweweta and Singo in Nakaseke, Bihanga in Ibanda, Hima in Kasese, Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka, Jinja, Aviation Academy and Luweero Industries in Nakasongola.
Others include Barlege in Otuke, Kasenyi Training School in Entebbe for Special Forces Command, the artillery division headquarters in Butiaba, and dozens of barracks in different parts of the country.
During the pass out ceremony, the President ordered students who excelled during the 11-month military training to be absorbed in specialised UPDF operations.
Pte Judith Nakalanzi emerged as the best student in class and marksmanship. She hit all the 10 targets during the target shooting demonstration.

After the demonstration, President Museveni ordered the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen David Muhoozi, to deploy Pte Nakalanzi to Luweero Industries where UPDF manufactures explosives and bullets. She is a graduate of Industrial Engineering.
Gen Museveni also told the new recruits to live responsibly and avoid diseases such as HIV/Aids.

“I urge you to be disciplined soldiers. Avoid careless behaviours such as multiple [sexual] partners and alcohol. Sexual indiscipline exposes you to HIV,” he said.
More than 100 recruits failed to complete the rigorous course. At least more than 1000 trainees were degree holders.

There was excitement as the graduates exhibited the acquired skills in enemy confrontation, paratrooping, wall climbing and long range shooting. CDF Muhoozi said the graduates acquired skills in combat fighting, weapon handling and marksmanship. He asked the President to help secure funds to build more structures at the training school.
In response, Gen Museveni said the issue of insufficient structures would soon be solved.
[email protected]