A total of 1,700 UPDF soldiers expected to replace the peace-keeping troops in Somalia have completed the first phase of training.
The contingent acquired skills in peace-keeping procedures at Singo Military Training School in Kapeeka, Nakaseke district.
They were trained by French and Belgian military experts and will today start further training to be conducted by US army officers, for one month at the same school.
The team will leave for Somalia in October this year, the army said.
Speaking at the pass-out ceremony on Friday, the defence state minister, Lt. Gen. Jeje Odongo, warned the troops against indulging in irresponsible sexual behaviour.
He also warned them against drunkenness, saying it would compromise their performance.
“You have heard that HIV/AIDS is on the increase. We had brought the prevalence rate to 6%, but it has gone up to 6.4%. Do not indulge in any behaviour that will render you a statistic,” Odongo advised.
Odongo told the soldiers to prepare psychologically for the Somali assignment.
“What you are going to do in Somalia is good for Africa,” he said.
The trainees exhibited the skills they received.
The commander of the French Forces in Djibouti, Gen. Philippe LeFort, said the UPDF’s contribution to peace was a sign that Africans were organised to face future crises on the continent.
“You are the hope of all people striving to live in peace. The process of regional integration and setting up of a framework for peace and security is bearing fruit,” said LeFort.
He said as long as Somalia failed to take care of its own security needs, there would be need for international support.
Uganda
has so far sent three batches of peace-keepers to Somalia under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Burundi and Nigeria also sent some troops.
The ceremony was attended by the deputy chief of defence forces, Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta and ambassadors Rene Forceville of France and Jan de Bruyne of Belgium.
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