The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has called up reservists under the age of 55 for…
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has called up reservists under the age of 55 for training ahead of their deployment in the Somalia Peacekeeping Mission, Defence Spokesperson Felix Kulayigye, said in a statement yesterday.
Reservists have been directed to report to centres in different parts of the country for the short mobilisation exercise that will end on February 18. The deputy Defence spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki, told this publication that the reservists will be deployed in “two battle groups”.
“We hereby inform the public that the UPDF – Reserve Force will conduct a call-up exercise of UPDF Veterans for a peacekeeping mission. The exercise is expected to run from 15 February to 18 February 2023 and will be conducted in various centres all over the country, by different teams from the UPDF and will be supported by RDCs and DISOs of the area where that particular centre is located,” Brig Kulayigye said in a statement.
The UPDF veterans must have their discharge certificate and a national identity card in order to be qualified for the mission. They must be 55 years of age or younger, in good health, and physically fit.
Once recruited, Col Akiiki clarified, the able-bodied reservists or veterans will form part of Uganda Battle Groups XXXIX and XI.
At the end of the exercise on February 18, successful veterans will be transported to the Peace Support Training Centre, PSO-Singo, Nakaseke District.
Asked whether the capacity of the active force is stretched that the military is turning to veterans for the key peace keeping mission, Col Akiiki said the measure is part of the military’s efforts to engage its veterans and will be implemented within the law.
