President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned over 6,000 Local Defence personnel who have successfully completed 16 weeks’ training.
The ceremony took place yesterday at the Oliver Tambo Leadership Institute, Kaweweta in Central Region’s Nakaseke District, was characterized by a display of various military skills by the trainees.
The President told the trainees that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) embarked on the recruitment of Local Defence personnel because it is one of the ways to curb crime, which had taken a high toll on citizens, especially in the area of Entebbe and its environs.
“We embarked on this recruitment of LDUs because some people had thought of using crime to undermine our progress,” he explained.
President Museveni, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Armed Forces, added that the UPDF decided deliberately to upgrade the security in the country to a higher level through the recruitment of Local Defence personnel in order to combat and fight crime in communities.
He applauded the enthusiasm that has always been exhibited during the recruitment process and attributed the quality of the trainees to the Education For All programme that was rolled out by the NRM Government in Primary and Secondary schools.
The President further said the training of LDUs aimed at increasing the security capacity to ensure the country’s immunity against insecurity.
He explained that the military knowledge that had been imparted to the trainees is scientific whose aim is to improve both the individual’s body and mental capacity to perform.
Gen. Museveni called on the trainees to lead responsible lifestyles to ensure a bright future. He also saluted the UPDF for the good work done in building both the human resource and infrastructure at the Oliver Tambo Leadership Institute.
The Chief of the Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi, saluted the President for his valuable guidance in the processes of building capacity of the forces.
Brig. James Ruhesi, Commandant of the Institute, while thanking the President for presiding over the pass out ceremony, reported that the resilience that had been shown by the trainees was a clear manifestation that they are ready to serve their communities.