Thirteen officers from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), have completed a one-week Human Security Planning course aimed at strengthening their capacity in stabilisation operations.
The training, held in Mogadishu, was conducted by the United Kingdom Mission Support Team (UKMST) and focused on integrating human security principles into military planning and field execution.
At the closing ceremony, Col Richard Grover, Commander of UKMST in Somalia, praised the officers for their commitment and emphasized the importance of solid planning in achieving operational success.
“If you don’t get it right in planning at the start, you will have a hard time at the battlefront,” Col Grover said. He urged the graduates to share the knowledge with junior commanders and frontline personnel to foster community trust and long-term peace.
Representing the Deputy Contingent Commander of Sector One, Lt Col Vincent Mutebi Masembe applauded the trainees for their discipline and determination despite the tight schedule.
“Proper planning limits battlefield casualties and boosts operational success,” Lt Col Masembe stated. “Training builds confidence, experience, and morale; the foundation of any strong military force.”
The ceremony was attended by Maj Bernard Muhatane, Sector One Training Officer; Capt Alex Bidie, Head of Training at UKMST; and several senior and junior non-commissioned officers from Sector One.
The UPDF remains a key contributor to AUSSOM operations, and this training is expected to enhance the effectiveness and human-centric approach of its missions in Somalia.