President Museveni has urged forces to emphasize the ideology of patriotism while serving their country.
“Don’t look at the army as a source of jobs. Yes, it might be a job but also there’s service to the country. Remember that at one time, some of us who were serving the country were not being paid. We were working for patriotism only, but in your case things are easier. You can work for patriotism but also be paid for that,” Museveni said.
The president made the remarks while passing out 391 trainees who completed their platoon commander and armoured basic crew courses at the Armoured Warfare Training School- Karama in Mubende district.
Of these, 55 completed their one-year armoured platoon commander course while 336 completed a six month armour basic crew course.
Museveni urged the graduates to continue learning about warfare, saying building the force was due to the continuous learning.
“When you see what’s going on in parts of Africa, you wonder whether these people are trained. Why do you have soldiers who don’t plan for their country? We were able to build the NRA/ UPDF because we were studying. That’s why we were able to build up the force from nothing.”
“I want to tell you that your future is bright because you are now entering a very disciplined force-the UPDF. You need to be disciplined, you will go very far.”
The Chief of Défense Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi emphasized the relevance of the course in modern warfare, saying it’s a vital and regular member of the combat support to the field commander because it brings decisive objectives due to its high mobility, superior fire power, protection and shock action characteristics, thus enabling quick means of achieving the ultimate objective which is destruction of the enemy.
He said Karama Armoured Warfare Training School is currently the only training centre “for exposing our young soldiers to the proficient tactics and employment of armour. We’ll keep emphasizing that the machine is as good as its operator.”
He encouraged the graduates to always remember the core values on which the UPDF is built.
“You must also keep healthy and fit for the purpose for which we have recruited you and for your wellbeing. Stick to those and the sky will be the limit,” he noted.
Gen Mbadi informed the president that a total of shs6.8 billion has been earmarked for training institutions including construction of the tank gunship at Karama Training school.
The commandant of Karama Armoured Warfare Training School Brig Peter Chandia informed the commander in chief that the course was meant to develop individual crew member skills , proficiency in gunnery and driving, develop single weapon crew coordination skills necessary for operation, produce armor platoon commanders who are well prepared to offer leadership to armor platoons and to impart to the platoon commanders.
He added that all these were achieved.
The Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Vincent Ssempijja urged the graduates to put to good use the acquired knowledge for long term stability and security of the country.
“The completion of this course is not just about you. It is also about the love for your motherland Uganda and its long-term stability. I want to inform you that strengthening the security of our nation is only possible through well trained and educated military personnel that are able to meet the security demands,” Sempijja said.