The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) College of Logistics and Engineering (COLE) at Magamaga passed out personnel who completed specialised training in various disciplines.
The courses which included the Basic Medical Logistics Course, Basic Logistics Management Course, Battalion Arms Technicians Course and Basic Finance Officers’ Course attracted personnel from allied forces, including the Rwanda Defence Force and the Central African Republic Armed Forces.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Joint Staff Finance, Major General Robert Mugabe, described their completion of the course as a demonstration of determination, discipline, sacrifice and commitment to professional development.
“Behind every certificate being awarded today are many hours of classroom instruction, practical exercises, assessments, discussions, personal study, field tours and considerable sacrifice by yourselves,” Maj Gen Mugabe said..
Maj Gen Mugabe urged the graduates to uphold accountability in managing institutional resources, noting that logistics personnel are entrusted with resources that are essential to military operations.
“The fundamental principle is the same: resources entrusted to you are not personal property and every item must be accounted for,” he said.
He commended the allied countries that entrusted Uganda and the UPDF with the training of their personnel, saying their participation reflected confidence in Uganda’s military training capabilities.
The COLE Commandant, Col Chris Kyanku, said the training programmes are intended to strengthen professional military logistics capabilities among personnel from neighbouring and partner countries, including Rwanda, Somalia and the Central African Republic.
“We train to get knowledge in research and sustainment for the UPDF, with the main objectives of producing professionals in supply management, transport management, arms technology and operations within sister countries,” Col Kyanku said.
Col Kyanku challenged them to contribute to the fight against corruption by ensuring that institutional resources are handled in accordance with established procedures.
Representing the Joint Staff Health Services, Lt Col Emmanuel Arinaitwe, Director Medical Logistics, said that the skills acquired would be vital in strengthening military medical support.
“Today’s graduation is a demonstration of discipline, determination and hard work. This rigorous training and acquisition of new skills will be vital in supporting military medical services,” he said.
Present were junior and senior officers of the UPDF.
