Museveni blames ‘a few mistakes’ and ‘some gaps in intelligence’ for ADF attack in Kasese
Museveni strongly cautioned graduands to take good care of their health by avoiding reckless lifestyles, to remain disciplined and uphold professionalism in the army.
President Yoweri Museveni refuses to be persuaded that the country is insecure following the attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Kasese that left over 40 people dead and the attack on UPDF in Somalia the left a big score of Ugandan soldiers dead.
The President remains assertive that the country is safe and secure despite the attacks. “When we get a few mistakes like what happened in Somalia and Kasese, those who don’t know war start running around, panicking but I can tell you that the security of Uganda is very secure,” the President said.
“In Kasese, that part of the country has been peaceful for a long time and those people there were quite relaxed although there are still some gaps in intelligence, but all these are easily solvable. Anybody who disturbs us will pay a very big price,” the President added.
The President made the remarks on Thursday while presiding over the passing out of 9,690 Local Defence Personnel (LDP) at Kaweweta Recruit Training School.
The graduands were drawn from three training schools of Kaweweta Recruit Training School in Nakaseke, Labwordwong Training School in Agago and Olilim Training School in Karamoja.
The President noted that educated people can make good soldiers and cadres. “The only problem is that sometimes the educated people become proud and look down upon manual work but otherwise they can make good soldiers and very good cadres in different areas,” the President said.
The President revealed that out of the over 9,000 recruits, 5,000 have A’ Level Certificates of Education and above, 700 have bachelor’s degrees, five have master’s degrees while only 37 stopped at Primary Seven level.
“With this level of Education, it is easy to learn because modern warfare has a lot of science and educated people plan very easily. The people they were giving prizes here, are all educated,”
“One of the girls who got a prize here has got a degree in civil engineering and the other girls are midwives, you know how careful midwives are. If a midwife shoots you, you will not come back,” he stated.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said the recruitment of these new soldiers fits very well in UPDF’s journey to build a modern, professional, effective and efficient force capable of securing Uganda.
Brig. Gen. Bonny Wolimbwa, the Commandant of the training school, said the recruits have been trained for 47 weeks and they have been equipped with all the necessary skills required to serve in the UPDF.
During the same event, the best students were awarded for their exceptional performance. Wampagana Moses Wasike emerged as the best overall student, Chelangat Bashir and Agabirwe Natasha emerged as best in the field.
Kongai Rachel emerged as best student in leadership, Nechemet Annet as best student in range and Chebet Mercy Faith emerged as best disciplined student.
