M7 demonstrates combat skills

ARUA - UPDF soldiers who had been undergoing combat training in West-Nile were thrilled seeing their Commander-in-Chief take part in range shooting during the closing ceremony.

“The soldier’s morale was very high seeing the President joining them. We can say it was a very successful ending for us all,” said the army spokesman in the region, Capt. Robert Kamara. The drills, conducted at the military training camp at Bondo, about 25km from Arua town, were meant to equip the soldiers of the 11th and 45th battalions with fighting skills supported by the air force.

Earlier, panic broke out among residents and business came to a temporary halt as several helicopter gunships and other warplanes hovered over the town at low altitude. Residents were particularly captivated by the display and supersonic speed of the warplanes. In his remarks, Museveni repeated his call to avoid drinking alcohol and contracting the HIV virus. He noted that the two were human killers that could be easily prevented.

Referring to himself, Museveni also encouraged the troops to always remain fit.

He hinted that under the new budget, apart from acquiring more military equipment, soldiers’ salaries would be increased from sh180,000 to at least sh200,000. On the faulty Juba peace talks, Museveni said Joseph Kony would be safer signing the final agreement than seeking to prolong the negotiations.

The function that marked the end of about three months training was attended by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the commander land forces, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala and his air force counterpart, Gen. Jim Owesigire.