Maj Gen Richard Otto, Commander of the Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa, inaugurated a three-day human rights training programme for Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers and personnel at Muhoti Barracks.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is facilitating the training, which aims to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills on human rights and international humanitarian law.
Maj Gen Otto underscored the significance of human rights training, highlighting the UPDF’s long-standing commitment to promoting human rights since its inception as the National Resistance Army (NRA). He urged participants to approach the training with seriousness, as it would benefit them throughout their military service and beyond.
Additionally, he challenged them to implement the acquired knowledge in their respective units and formations.
Col Deo Karikona, Director of Ideological Development, expressed gratitude to the ICRC for their partnership in training UPDF personnel on human rights. He emphasised that the UPDF, as a revolutionary army, prioritises human rights observance, as enshrined in its doctrine.
Col Karikona cautioned that non-compliance with human rights has severe consequences and encouraged participants to become champions of human rights.
Mr. Thomas O’Boy, head of the ICRC team, thanked the UPDF leadership for their strategic relationship with the ICRC. He stressed that human rights training is crucial for security personnel to understand that “even wars have limits.” The comprehensive training programme will cover various topics, including:
- The history of human rights in Uganda, focusing on the role of security agencies
- The Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act and its implications for military and intelligence operations
- International humanitarian law
- Other relevant human rights topics
This training will provide a thorough understanding of human rights principles and their application in different contexts.
