.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and French soldiers on Wednesday completed a seven-day joint mountain operation exercise, which saw them climb the Rwenzori mountain to its peak, Margherita.
The activities conducted during the exercise included first aid, counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), logistics platoon, combat platoon as well as real rescue in a mountainous environment, officials said in a statement.
Welcoming the troops back from the exercise at Mountain Warfare Training school (MWTS) in Karugutu, the mountain division second in command Col Chris Ogwal noted that the "UPDF [had] built capacity in mountain warfare to deter any attacks on Uganda from the mountainous Rwenzori, Elgon and Kigezi regions”.
He went on to say that the knowledge acquired was “vital to participants."
He thanked the French government for good collaboration and said they are always welcome for more of such exercises.
The French Defence Attaché to Uganda Lt Col Bertrand De Boise thanked UPDF leadership for the great support during the exercise.
The Commandant of MWTS, Col Dothan Kavuma said this exercise was meant to develop more skills and capacity of troops, and the terrain was favourable.
"With these skills, troops will be able to operate in mountains," Col Kavuma said.
Present were mountain operation experts from France Maj Laurent Luchini, commanders, staff officers and soldiers from MWTS.
