Uganda sends 293 troops to Rwanda for joint regional military training exercise
Uganda has sent a contingent of 293 personnel to the Republic of Rwanda to participate in a field training exercise dubbed Ushirikiano Imara under the East African Community.
The three weeks training shall enhance the capabilities of East African partner states' armed forces, Police, civilian components and other stakeholders in jointly combating complex security challenges.
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The Ugandan contingent flagged off by the deputy Commander of Land Forces Maj Gen Francis Takirwa at Jinja based garrison to participate in an exercise aimed at enhancing readiness in planning war, peace support operations, disaster management, counter terrorism and counter piracy.
Speaking during the function, Maj Gen Takirwa urged the contingent to exercise discipline during the exercise.
"Conduct yourselves professionally and maintain discipline at all times while in the Republic of Rwanda to achieve the desired outcomes of the field training exercise," Maj Gen Takirwa.
Brigadier General Alex Olupot, from the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, highlighted the exercise's role in fostering EAC's commitment to "Promoting cooperation with African countries which share common political, economic, social and cultural values and interests."
Brigadier General Fred Twinamasiko, the head of the Ugandan contingent and chief evaluator, noted that the country's involvement focuses on training partner states in peace support operations, disaster management, counter-piracy, and counter-terrorism.
The head of delegation Brig Fred Twinamatsiko revealed that this training is part of efforts by the East African community to strengthen and enhance the member states' armed forces, Police, civilian components and other stakeholders to handle complex and multidimensional security.
The East Africa Community exercise Ushirikiano Imara is a rotational exercise between member states and it happens every after two years, the last exercise was held in 2022 at Gaddafi barracks in Jinja.
It is part of the East Africa Community Protocol on cooperation in defence affairs.
