President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Armed Forces, has passed out 18 Uganda People’s Defence Air Forces pilots along with 20 flight technicians.
He strongly advised them to exercise the highest level of excellence, integrity, dedication and patriotism in the service of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the country.
Their training took 8 years and the pass out ceremony was held yesterday at Gulu Air Force base in Gulu District.
The President told the graduands to jealously guard their lives especially against the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic and many other ailments that may cripple and ruin their career and adversely affect their efficiency.
“Discipline and patriotism are very important for a successful military career. Patriotism is more important because it entitles you to love your country and the moment you do that the rest will be easy. You are young and have a good chance to better your career. You should not misuse this chance. You need to know that what a man sows is what he reaps,” he said.
Gen. Museveni expressed happiness to note that all the graduands and those who are undergoing training have a science-based background adding that sciences are important for professions such as piloting.
He advised other government departments to nurture the strategies that promote and offer science-related services to the country. He also used the occasion to thank Bulgarian experts for the support to the Uganda People’s Defence Air Forces.
The President assured UPDF that government is going to start constructing 30,000 housing units countrywide to solve the housing shortage in the force.
He also revealed that government will build and expand Gulu Airstrip to international standards to enable the facility to handle large planes as a strategy of promoting tourism in Northern Region as well as international trade between Northern Uganda and the rest of the world.
The Commander of Uganda People’s Defence Air Forces, Maj. Gen. Charles Lwanga Lutaaya, appealed to the new graduates to exercise the highest level of dedication and discipline because, he said, they are at the beginning of their career that they need to develop.
He disclosed that in the upcoming recruitment exercise, the Air Forces will target much younger Ugandans because aviation courses take a lot of resources and long periods of training. He commended the President, the Chief of the Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence, for the support to the Uganda People’s Defence Air Forces.