By KT Reporter
Soldiers who recently returned from Somalia have been warned against reckless spending of the money they have earned. Nearly 1,500 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers under Battle Group 40 and the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) completed their one-year deployment mission and returned home.
As it is a norm, returnees have to first undergo a month-long post mission refresher course. They completed this course on Friday, where Brig Gen Michael Kabango, the Chief of Staff Land Forces and Brig Gen Patrick Otongo, the commandant of International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-CT) in Singo, cautioned them against unplanned spending and indiscipline.
Brig Gen Kabango, who closed the post-mission ideological course, said the soldiers needed to undergo a transition process since they are now back into regular service after a grueling 12-month mission.
“This is not just about closing a course; it is about welcoming back warriors who have carried our flag high, thanking them for their sacrifice, and sending them off to rest before their next assignment,” Brig Gen Kabango said.
UPDF decided to have mandatory post-mission training for soldiers following numerous violent acts and scammers who often targeted returnees.
Additionally, many soldiers would go to bars with lots of money, and the prostitutes would connive with other men to steal the money from them. In revenge, the soldiers would pick up guns and shoot whoever was in the bar. But ever since UPDF started a mandatory course, such incidents have become minimal.
The soldiers were urged to maintain discipline and patriotism while keeping up their determination to serve. Brig Gen Otongo said the soldiers’ performance in Somalia was exceptional.
“You demonstrated the effectiveness of training. I extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Land Force for their continued support in preparing troops for international peace missions,” Brig Gen Otongo said.
UPDF has been in Somalia since 2007, but Al-Shabaab terrorists have often succeeded in their attacks on soldiers. In some attacks, more than 50 soldiers are killed in a single night, and scores survive with nasty injuries.
Col. Topher Magino, the Battle Group 40 Commander and UNGU X Commander, Lt. Col David Emmanuel Odongo praised their troops for upholding discipline and ensuring the success of their mission.
C.ol. Magino and Lt. Col. Odongo encouraged their teams to maintain the same professionalism as they reintegrate. The event was attended by senior commanders, officers from both battlegroups and community leaders-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
