No More Mistakes: All LDUs Enter a Two Weeks Training Course

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) introduces a two weeks training course for all LDUs.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has launched a two weeks training course for all Local Defence Units (LDUs).

Up to 6000 LDUs will be stressed to the training majorly in areas of human rights and law enforcement for 14 days.

The training that commenced on Monday will take place at the First Division headquarters in Kakiri Barracks with all personnel from the 10 Battalions of the LDUs operating in Kampala Metropolitan Policing (KMP).

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Deputy Commander Land Forces, Maj Gen Sam Kavuma, said that the refresher course will help the LDUs to continue operating in a manner that is expected of them.

According to Maj.Gen.Kavuma, recent records show that the LDUs in the Kampala Metropolitan area have played a tremendous role in promoting security and thus they have introduced the training to enable them to maintain their positive deeds.

“Records show that the LDUs have done great work in KMP. In the last six months alone, over five riffles have been recovered by the force, 02 pistols, 04 toy pistols, many walkie talkies, several rounds of ammunition of different calibre and another assortment of military stores. These could have been used to gravely destabilize the security of the people.

To maintain this positive trend achieved, the General said that when a battalion of the LDUs is under the refresher training, the rest will continue patrolling,” Maj.Gen.Kavuma said.

In the past few weeks, a section of LDUs has been cited for beating, mistreating and killing of people with the most recent incident happening near the Ntinda roundabout where a group of LDUs were video recorded mercilessly beating and kicking an unknown individual. e

However, Kavuma said that despite all the negative stories, over 99% of the LDUs have and are doing a great job in reversing the undesirable security situation that had prevailed in KMP such as robberies, kidnaps and economic sabotage on factories among others.

Kavuma pinpointed that about four cars, 15 stolen motorcycles and other household and office items have been recovered with the help of the LDU personnel in the past one year.

“Nevertheless, over 99% of the LDUs are doing a great job. The few who fell short of the operational standards have been charged in the court as per the laws.”

“The army you joined a year or months ago has got a history. The NRA/UPDF journey is very long and full of obstacles but we have been successful not by accident but because of our pro-people ideology. It is important that we remind ourselves of this important journey and what helped us reach this far.”