Last Friday forty Officers and men of UPDF and Uganda Police Force were flagged off to participate in a field exercise in the United Republic of Tanzania that starts on 4th and ends on 17th December, 2017. The Command Post Exercise (CPX) code named “USHIRIKIANO IMARA” will be conducted in Dar-es-salaam with the Armies and Police of the EAC partner states.
According to Brig Jimmy Kinalwa the Commandant of the Junior Staff and Command College (JCSC), who represented the Chief of Defence Forces at the flagging off ceremony, the exercise is intended to sharpen the skills of participants in countering regional instability and security threats as well as supporting international peace.
Brig Kinalwa observed that Security remains a primary concern for the EAC region due to the current unstable situation in countries such as; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia and South Sudan.
The exercise is also intended to consolidate lessons learnt from previous similar EAC exercises that focused on improving inter-operability and enhancement of regional readiness to respond to regional security challenges.
During the recently concluded East Africa Community Ordinary Sectoral meeting on Cooperation in Defence which was held in Kampala from 20th – 24th Nov 2017, EAC Defence and Security ministers ratified the Defence Pact for co-operation and security.
While addressing participants, the Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the EAC in-charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge and Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon Adolf Mwesige noted that security remains a sine qua non for development of the region.
The two leaders emphasized that cooperation efforts in Defence and security will go a long way to create a more conducive environment for the advancement and fulfillment of the long-cherished dream of a peaceful and stable region.
Brig Kinalwa implored the Uganda contingent commanded by Brig Stephen Kashure to observe discipline and be good ambassadors of the country.
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