NEWS– The UPDF Commander Land Forces , Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga presided over passed out ceremony for 165 military officers at School of Infantry – Bihanga in Ibanda District who underwent training for middle level commanders for 4 months and include 5 officers from the Republic of Burkina Faso.

While presiding over the ceremony, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga thanked the Training School for developing the officer into competent Commanders who will be able to handle evolving battle dynamics with discipline and sufficient knowledge required to execute tasks precisely very well.

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He highlighted the strategic and Pan African relationship, the government of Uganda has with the Republic of Burkina Faso and extended appreciation to the Allied officers from Burkina Faso for successfully completing the training and performing well in both class and field.

” I thank officers from Burkina Faso for being exceptionally good during training; with Burkina Faso, we share the same Ideology, Late Thomas Sankara once visited Uganda” Gen Muhanga noted .

He also emphasized need for discipline while serving UPDF, value for roles for excellent execution of military tasks and duties as military commanders, health as wealth and avoiding tendencies of indiscipline which affect individual career progression.

The Commandant of School of Infantry – Bihanga, Brig Gen Godfrey Golooba said that company Commanders’ Course is an operation heavy course designed to develop commanders’ knowledge in the Art of leadership, tactics and operations for middle level commanders and the objective of the training was to produce potential Infantry maneuver commanders equipped with expertise to handle issues with broad leadership skills at tactical levels .

He explained that the course was conducted in classroom and several field exercises took place with military officers ushered into guided tours to specialized units such as Air Force, Artillery Division and Armoured Warfare training centre among others.

” I want to thank the formation Commanders for the organization and knowledge imparted to Military officers during the tours, the study tours helped officers to familiarize themselves with various assets in different formations” Brig Gen Golooba said.

He also advised the officers to build trust with their teams, determine their priorities at their work places, support their subordinates, seek knowledge for self improvement and facilitate constant communication in their places of work, lead by example, delegate effectively and maintain physical fitness.

“Know our doctrine, it’s a strong pillar for our success, know your resources and encourage proper utilisation of these resources to avoid corruption, value your role and above all, remain royal and committed to the mission and vision of UPDF” Brig Gen Golooba advised.

According to the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division Public Information Officer, Major Kiconco Tabaro, the course that was attended by 18 females entrusts military officers with sufficient knowledge required to perform variety of duties during decision making in their formations as commanders.

The ceremony was attended among others by the 3rd Infantry Division commander, Maj Gen Don Nabasa, the Chief of Staff Land Forces, Brig Micheal Kabango, the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, Brig Gen Alex Opolot Olupot, the Commandant Junior Command and Staff College – Jinja, Brig Gen Chris Ogwal, the Commandant Basic Military training School – Kaweweta, Brig Gen GB Wolimbwa, the Commandant Uganda Military Academy – Kabamba Brig Gen Wycliffe Keita, the Commandant International Peace Support Operations Training Centre – Singo, Brig Gen P Otongo.

Others included the 4th Infantry Division Commander, Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, Commandant Non Commissioned Officers Academy – Jinja, Col Saad Katemba, the Commandant Armoured Warfare Training School, Col Wilson Kabeera, the Deputy Commandant Military Police Col Napoleon Namanya Kyabihende, theCommandant Special Mission Training School Butiaba Col HW Mukasa, the Commandant Military Police Training School Col AB Kagina and the function was also attended by Religious leaders and local leaders from Ibanda and Kazo Districts.