The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has opened a four-day logistics retreat at the College of Logistics and Engineering (COLE) in Magamaga, aimed at strengthening service delivery and enhancing logisticians’ capacity in peace and wartime operations.
The retreat was opened by Brig Gen Alex Olupot, Commandant of the National Defence College–Uganda, who represented UPDF Chief of Joint Staff.
Speaking to the retreat theme, “Promoting Ideological Consciousness of Logistics Practitioners for Effective Service Delivery and Sustainment of Troops during Peace and War Time,” Brig Gen Olupot emphasised the importance of ideological and doctrinal awareness in logistics operations.
Brig Gen Olupot urged participants to make the most of the gathering by engaging with their leaders and peers to improve efficiency in logistics management. “Use this opportunity to interact with your leaders, seek guidance and new ideas, and understand emerging issues from the strategic level to enhance your efficiency as logisticians in the UPDF,” he said.
He stressed that retreats of this nature help improve performance and foster unity within the logistics fraternity.
The Joint Staff Logistics (JS-LOG), Brig Gen Godwin Karugaba, underscored the importance of the retreat in enhancing ideological clarity, defining the role of logisticians in national processes, and fostering a mindset change within the logistics corps. “Logisticians are critical in sustaining the UPDF and supporting the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to achieve its mission and objectives,” Brig Gen Karugaba said.
He reiterated the importance of mentoring junior officers to prepare them for leadership roles as senior officers retire. “It is very important that we keep mentoring our juniors so they are able to take over from us. People need to prepare themselves as we plan to retire,” he noted.
COLE Commandant Col Chris Kyanku emphasised that the theme, is consistently reflected in COLE’s training programs. “As per the retreat theme, the college emphasises the ideological consciousness of logisticians in service delivery and troop sustainment. We continue to remind our logisticians every year how logistics should be managed,” he said.
The retreat attracted senior and junior UPDF officers, including Col Elias Byamukama, Deputy JS-LOG; Col Amos Rutaremwa, Commandant of the 12 Service Brigade; Col GM Abigaba, Director General Defence Depot; Col JB Katongole, Commandant of the School of Supply and Transport; and logistics directors from across the various UPDF services.
