A total of 177 trainees from Guinea Bissau army who underwent training in the Very Important Persons and Special Operations Tactics Course have passed out at the Special Mission Training Center in Butiaba – Bulisa district.
The training, which lasted for 16 weeks, was conducted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
In his message, the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, lauded the President Museveni, for his immeasurable contribution towards the security and stability of the region and the African continent.
“His steadfast commitment to clear foreign policies has not only fostered peace in the region but also facilitated the exceptional development that our nation has attained,” Gen Kainerugaba said.
The SFC commander, Major General David Mugisha, delivered his message
Maj Gen Mugisha said that the demonstrations displayed by the trainees reflected the efforts, energy and resolve of both the UPDF and the Guinea Bissau forces to galvanise the Pan-Africanism agenda of strategic peace and development.
He observed that exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best practices during the course will strengthen the collective ability to protect VIPs and execute specialised operations with precision, lethality and expertise.
The Special Advisor on Defence and Security in Guinea Bissau, Maj Gen Jose Antonio Marques, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People – Guinea Bissau, commended the UPDF for accepting to train their nationals and added that the knowledge and skills acquired will go a long way in defending their country.
He thanked the participants for portraying professionalism and discipline and pledged to continue strengthening the existing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Joint Staff -Training and Doctrine, Brig Gen Alex Opolot Olupot, said the training has enhanced the spirit of Pan-Africanism among the individuals and two countries.
The Commandant of the Special Mission Training Center, Lt Col Simon Ogwal Onyinge, thanked the UPDF leadership for the support rendered through the training that made the course run smoothly.
Lt Col Ogwal said that the trainees trained in various indoor and outdoor exercises that included tactical exercises, causality care, Cordon and search operations, military intelligence, physical body fitness training, and range exercises, among others.
The pass-out ceremony was attended by the 1 Infantry Division Commander, Brig Gen Joseph Ssemwanga; Commander Marines Brigade, Brig Gen Micheal Nyarwa; the Bulisa Resident District Commissioner, Longino Bahebwa; area Member of Parliament, Allan Atugonza; representatives from sister security agencies; UPDF senior and officers, Political leaders, Government leaders, religious leaders and militants.
