Top brass of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recently converged at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO-TC) in Singo. Their mission? To unpack strategies and beef up the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with fresh insights and tactical savvy.
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This powwow, taking place over four intense days, is dubbed the “Lessons Learned” workshop. Its goal is to amplify UPDF’s victories in bringing stability to Somalia, while also tackling the uphill battles still on the horizon.
“Reflecting on what we’ve accomplished, and areas still rough around the edges, is crucial,” said Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, the Deputy Commander of Land Forces. “We need strategies that can beef up peace in our neighborhood.” This reflective process is key for UPDF to keep punching above its weight in ATMIS and add real value to peace endeavors across East Africa.
Maj Gen Takirwa also shed light on a noticeable pivot in how UPDF conducts training. Gone are the days when external forces called the shots. Now, UPDF holds the reins—an indicator of the force’s budding self-reliance and knack for leadership training. This move signals a new chapter for Uganda’s military, underscoring its pledge to nurture homegrown talent and strengthen regional resilience.
At the heart of this event is IPSO-TC itself, a hub for sharpening peace and security skills. According to Brig Gen John Patrick Otongo, the commandant of IPSO-TC, the institution remains steadfast in its quest to promote peace all through the region by offering hardcore training and innovative capacity-building programs.
Who’s who at the gathering? Well, the list is nothing short of impressive. It features esteemed figures like Maj Gen David Isimbwa, Deputy Commander of the UPDF Air Force; Maj Gen Don Nabasa, who helms the 3 Infantry Division; Brig Gen Felix Busizori leading the 4 Infantry Division; Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, the brains behind the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (URDC); and Brig Gen Joseph Semwanga, alongside a cadre of senior officers and training partners with their sleeves rolled up and ready to delve in.
This workshop is not just a tick-in-the-box exercise; it’s a stepping stone in UPDF’s larger scheme to finetune its modus operandi and help ATMIS meet its goals. The endgame? A Somalia that’s not just surviving, but thriving in peace and stability.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
