President Yoweri Museveni has said Ugandans should not worry about the resurgence of insecurity in the Karamoja sub region and other areas because it will be defeated.
Museveni made the remarks at the pass out of 6,237 Local Defense Personnel (LDUs) who had completed a six-months basic military training at Oliver Tambo Military Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke district on Friday.
The president said what is happening are isolated incidents which will be dealt with.
“The security situation in the country is good. There are a few little things which are easy to deal with, like the cattle rustling in Karamoja, that will be dealt with. Then for the ADF in Congo, your colleagues are dealing with that” Museveni said.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has intensified operations in the Karamoja sub region in response to a new wave of cattle rustling and killing people.
In press statement released by the UPDF a few weeks ago, the army has so far killed more than 300 Karamojong warriors while many others have been captured. More than 100 guns and several rounds of live ammunition have also been recovered.
At the event, 168-degree holders, 318 diploma holders and 1, 277 with certificates were awarded in various disciplines.
Museveni congratulated the new soldiers for persevering through the six months training to finish the course, and noted that these will serve as Local Defense personnel for a short time and will later be integrated into the army because many are educated and have acquired knowledge on how to use modern weapons very quickly.
The President encouraged the new recruits to maintain discipline and ensure good health at all times.
“You should, therefore, not endanger your health with risky behavior like alcohol. Once you keep your health and follow the regulations of the army and you train, the future is very bright for you,” Museveni noted.
Earlier, he commissioned water works to serve Kaweweta Recruits Training School, Fort Samora Machel Special Forces School and Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan-African Center of Excellence all in the same vicinity. He also commissioned the new road network connecting all the institutions at Kaweweta. A total of 10 out of the 17kms have already been tarmacked.
According to the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the recruits should brace themselves for more training in the specialized units where they will be deployed for better results.
The Camp Commandant, Brig. Gen. John Bosco Ruhesi, said the objective of the course was to train selected patriotic young Ugandan men and women and prepare them into combat worthy, disciplined and robust and progressive members of the defense forces and this has been well achieved.