UK Military Students Visit UPDF Leaders, Seek Closer Ties
The Chief of Training and Recruitment, Maj Gen Willis Byarugaba, has met with the visiting members of the UK Royal College (RCDS) at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Mbuya in Kampala.
Maj Gen Willis Byarugaba, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi welcomed the students and commended the United Kingdom for their continued support to the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) which has enhanced the latter’s capacity, most especially in peace support operations, strengthening regional peace and stability among others.
Brig Byarugaba said UPDF’s role is to protect the security and interests of our country and urged the visiting students to use their stay in Uganda as an opportunity to tour our beautiful Uganda, fondly referred to as the pearl of Africa. He also urged them to extract opportunities that are beneficial to them and continually work towards maintaining close cooperation between the two countries.
Maj Gen Byarugaba observed the need to address global challenges like the high unemployment levels especially amongst the youth, technology challenges among others.
Maj Gen Charlie Herbert, the head of the UK delegation expressed gratitude for UPDF’s outstanding contribution towards the African mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since 2007. On the situation in South Sudan, he expressed optimism at the positive development in the country pointing out that there is light at the end of the tunnel thanks to IGAD supported the peace process. He further applauded Uganda’s commitment to Africa’s integration and Sought for continued closer ties.
The meeting was attended by the UPDF Chief of Personnel and Administration (CPA) Brig George Igumba, Uganda’s Defence Attaché to (UK) Brig Mathew Gureme among others.