Mubende | Brig Gen Cyrus Besigye Bekunda, Joint Staff Chief Engineering, urged combat engineers and explosive experts on May 17 to maintain discipline and continue their training in order to reach the pinnacle of their army careers.
He emphasised that discipline and a willingness to learn will help them have a good life in the army.
Brig Besigye Bekunda made the announcement while graduating 255 students from Combat Engineering Level 111 and Explosive Ordinance Devices/Improvised Explosive Devices (EOD/IED) Level 11, with 204 and 51 students, respectively, at the School of Combat Engineers in Karama, Mubende district.
Besigye Bekunda expressed his joy at officiating at the important graduation ceremony, noting that the school, which began with a single building block, has grown into a brigade.
He mentioned that the school has three levels of training: I, II, and III, and urged students who completed any of the levels to be ready and willing to move on to the next level, as well as to continue to upgrade for better chances of promotion.
“We expect you to perform much better on the pitch than you have shown us here,” he added.
He advised the graduates to maintain the discipline they demonstrated during training wherever they are deployed in order to live longer lives.
“Avoid alcohol abuse and related evils if you want to have a healthy life of service in the army,” Brig Gen Bekunda advised.
Bekunda also noted that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has promised to secure motor vehicle bridge equipment and is willing to prioritise its budget.
Col. Wilson Kabeera, the commandant of the School of Combat Engineers, thanked the army leadership for their support of the school and its training programmes.
“The Army leadership’s tireless efforts, support, and vision have enabled us to get here,” Col Kabeera stated.
“The UPDF’s capabilities, troop readiness, and discipline are enshrined in training values, as is our ability to adapt to and counter enemy threats. This is reflected in our vision for the school.”
He explained that graduates of the Combat Engineers course received comprehensive training in core aspects of combat engineering such as organisation, rigging, demolition, water supply, mine warfare, booby traps, roads, and rafts, among others.
The EOD/IED course covered a variety of topics, including explosive theory, EOD task management, modern mines, explosive use, firearms proficiency, political education, drill, financial resilience, and military law.
Col Kareeba expressed optimism now that several of their sister units, such as Special Forces Command, have acquired the knowledge provided by the combat school.
“In the spirit of professionalism and modernization of our forces, we see an opportunity to produce healthy soldiers capable of completing any task in any given situation.
“Knowledge in water purification, EOD, urban military breaching and basic NBC defence should be integrated into every soldier’s basic training,” he advised.
He cautioned the graduates to remain disciplined soldiers wherever they go and to approach their assignments with a positive attitude in order to avoid reckless behaviour and achieve more in life.
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