The Ugandan army, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, continues to upgrade its engineering capabilities by constructing modern brigade headquarters in the north of the country.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and also State Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon Gen David Muhoozi, yesterday June 18,2021 l, commissioned 505 Brigade Headquarters Infrastructure Development Works in Pajimo-Kitgum District and 403 Brigade Headquarters in Matany -Napak District respectively.
Hon Gen David Muhoozi was accompanied by the Commander Land Forces-Hon Lt Gen Peter Elwelu and was received by Hon Lt Gen James Mugira-Managing Director-National Enterprise Corporation at both sites.
National Enterprise Corporation is the commercial arm of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF and the Implementing Agency of the UPDF infrastructure development works.
Hon Gen David Muhoozi noted that the construction of the new Brigade Headquarters was informed by the working environment and pledged prioritization of the resources available and the urge by the Commander Land Forces for officers to have permanent homes.
He thanked the National Enterprise Corporation and UPDF Engineers Brigade for the commendable work and for bringing on table their organisational and management skills.
He also thanked the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF and specifically the Commander Land Forces for rationalising resources for better effect.
Gen Muhoozi urged the Division Commanders to immediately occupy the structures and continue to maintain their integrity.
On his part, the Commander Land Forces, Hon Lt Gen Peter Elwelu congratulated the CDF upon his new appointment as the Minister of State for Internal Affairs.
Commander Land Forces Hon Lt Gen Peter Elwelu planting a tree at 403 Brigade Headquarters in Matany-Napak District
He thanked Hon Lt Gen James Mugira and NEC/Engineers Brigade for the timely completion of the projects which had not happened before when UPDF was using private contractors.
He pledged to look up to NEC for other projects
He called on Division Commanders to get administrative units and combatants to occupy the structures otherwise they would be spoilt.
He thanked Kitgum District leadership for supporting UPDF during war times and urged them now that since there is peace, they should engage in socio-economic activities to increase their household income
On behalf of NEC, Hon Lt Gen James Mugira congratulated the CDF upon his appointment as the Minister of State for Internal Affairs and added that much as they still needed him as CDF but still rejoice with him since authority comes from God. He was confident that where he has gone he will be serving his country and wished him well in his new assignment.
He thanked the CDF for finding time out of his busy schedule to come and grace the commissioning of the projects that have been pending for sometime.
He thanked the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF for giving NEC an opportunity to participate in building UPDF infrastructure works utilizing personnel from UPDF Engineers Brigade
Through that, NEC has been able to execute a number of projects in a period of one year despite the corona challenges: hardware stores closed, restrictions in transportation and movement of personnel.
Gen Mugira thanked the CDF for providing officers under his command with conducive working environment and for the first time in the history of UPDF, to put up five Brigade Headquarters and other two infrastructure development works in Ruhengyere and Karama in a period of one year.
He thanked Engineers Brigade and the Division Commanders for putting their personnel at NEC’s disposal.
Present at the function were: Brig Besigye Bekunda-Engineers Brigade Commander, Brig Bainomugisha-5th Div Commander, Eng Brian Buhanda- General Manager-NEC Construction, Works and Engineering Ltd, RDC, C/M-LCV, CAO Kitgum District among others.