The Commander Land Forces (CLF) Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has hailed soldiers for their noble duty of serving their country, noting that it is through military services that one can best serve their motherland.
The CLF was Wednesday addressing over 2,127 soldiers at the Singo Peace Support Training Centre (PSO-TC) in Nakaseke District where he had gone to brief soldiers of Battle Group 33 that are soon deploying to Somalia on their mission and the leadership’s expectations of them.
“I want to thank you for your determination not only to serve your own country but to also serve a brotherly African country (Somalia),” Gen Kainerugaba told members of the Uganda battle group 33 who are set to be deployed in the mission area in Somalia under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Before briefing the soldiers, the CLF toured new housing units
To illustrate his point, Gen Kainerugaba noted that while a businessman, for instance, sacrifices for his own personal business interest, a soldier sacrifices his life for his country.
Speaking to the combatants in Kiswahili, Gen Kainerugaba who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations urged the soldiers to serve with distinction as it has been the culture of UPDF troops.
“Our reason for fighting the Alshabaab in Somalia is peace, we are not there for gold, diamonds, or money. Some people may think like that but our purpose is to help our brothers and sisters achieve peace because we don’t want to see them suffering,” Gen Kainerugaba noted.
Uganda is planning to deploy at least 1,846 out of the 2,127 that have been undergoing pre-mission training at Singo. The deployment of the soldiers is expected to take place between September 3 and October 16.
Before talking to his soldiers, the CLF was taken on a guided tour of newly constructed housing units for senior officers by the Commandant of PSO-TC, Brig Gen Bonny Wolimbwa.