"Be alive to global security threats," Museveni implores ESO officers

A total of 62 officers from External Security Organisation (ESO) have passed out at the Marine Training Wing, Butiaba in Buliisa District after successfully completing a basic military training course.

Presiding over the ceremony, President Museveni observed that ideological commitment, technical competence and discipline are key to the success of any government personnel.

"When we came into the system, we ensured that we not only had officers at the headquarters but also a Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) at every sub county," he said adding that with a GISO, there should be no corruption in the health, education, agriculture and any other sector.

He stated that the trainees should always determine the method to use, both human and technical, while bearing security in mind.

"Strive to know what the enemy is doing," he said.

He emphasised the use of new technology to deal with global security threats saying in World War II, the reason why Germany was defeated was because of new technology.

"The British had learnt to monitor the radios of the Germans. The technology of the radar was new and it helped the British detect the aircraft of the Germans," Museveni said.

He said the role of ESO is to deal with threats of terrorism, monitoring the diaspora, detecting political corruption and diffusing subversion.

The director general ESO Joseph Ocwet thanked the president for the remarkable improvement in the welfare of his officers, which he said has fostered greater unity within the organisation more than ever before.

"The organisation is now a family of men and women committed to serving the country," he said.

The Minister of security Maj Gen (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi said he was grateful to UPDF for working in harmony with all the other security agencies to bolster the security of the country.

He appealed to the all ESO staff to widen and broaden their minds to new emerging security challenges including cybercrime.

The course imparted onto and equipped the officers with basic military skills that include tactics in field craft, leadership, political education, counter insurgency, military law, martial arts/ self-defence, foot drills, range exercise, skills at arms and physical training.