The Commander of the French Air Force based in Djibouti, Maj Gen Eric Gernez has commended the Ugandan army for an excellent role played in keeping peace on the African Continent.
General Gernez made the remarks on Monday during a courtesy call to UPDF leadership at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters at Mbuya hill.
“Thank you for the tireless endeavors towards the peace in Africa” he observed.
The French two star general also pointed out that the mutual relationship between Uganda and France is a beneficial one and that the European country will continue supporting their East African counterparts’ efforts in ensuring peace and stability on the continent.
He pledged support from the French Air Force in Djibouti to the UPDF Air Force in terms of further training and other military to military engagements.
Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu who represented the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi appreciated the French support to UPDF in various capacity building areas mostly at the Peace Support Training Centre in Singo, Mountain warfare Training School, mountain training in the Rwenzori and other forms of support which he said have boosted the Ugandan army.
“The support has gone a long way in opening UPDF’s doors to the French speaking missions which was not the case before as language was our main barrier” Lt.Gen. Musanyufu noted.
He emphasised that the French support that UPDF is enjoying has torn down the barriers and promised to make much better strides.
In attendance was Maj Gen Gavas Mugyenyi the Deputy Commander Airforce, Maj Gen Willis Byarugaba,the UPDF Chief of Training among others.
The French army and their Ugandan counterparts in May conducted a joint training exercise at the Karugutu Training School in Ntoroko district code name Mountain Ghost in which they trained in mountain warfare.
The French government partly funded the construction of the Karugutu Training School three years ago and it specializes in Mountain warfare technical courses.
