The Chief of Logistics and Engineering, Brigadier General Charles Bakahumura, has advised Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces drivers to always be disciplined and follow traffic rules to avoid accidents on the roads.
This was contained in his speech that was delivered by the Commander Service Brigade, Colonel Dalington Mugisha at the pass out of sixty-nine (69) UPDF soldiers who had completed a six (06) months drivers refresher course at the School of Supply and Transport at Jinja Cantonment, Gadaffi Barracks.
“Have discipline and follow traffic rules to avoid traffic offences that cause accidents on the roads. Most road accidents are as a result of indiscipline by drivers so go and be good drivers because if you commit any traffic offence you will be individually held responsible,” said Brig Gen Bakahumura.
He implored the drivers to be good ambassadors and display the new driving skills they have acquired because they are beneficial to both UPDF and Uganda at large. He urged them to always have the zeal to upgrade so as to acquire more skills in driving to perfect themselves.
The Commandant SOST Colonel Amos Rutaremwa, said intake 06/2023 that was opened on 23 March 2023, with the objective of producing competent drivers to fill gaps in UPDF.
He said that, during the course, trainees were taken through the Highway code, Traffic rules and the Road Safety Act 1993 (amended 2000), Roadcraft, Safety engineering and first aid, Vehicle maintenance, military law, and Political Education among others in partnership with Uganda Traffic Police and Inspector Of Vehicles (IOV). This qualified the drivers with a B-class vehicle permit.
Col Rutaremwa said that due to such training, road accidents in the UPDF have been reduced and advised the drivers to be mindful and employ the four core principles of Patriotism, Democracy, Pan-Africanism and socio-economic transformation as they execute their duties.
L/Cpl Tweheyo Alex emerged as the overall best student, Pte Sorowen Dismus was best in driving practicals, Pte Watamba Juma emerged best in theory while L/Cpl Bingi Geoffrey was the most disciplined student.
Present at the function were the Kiira Region Police Traffic Officer, Officers and Staff from Jinja Cantonment.
