Africa-Press – Uganda. The Commander of the 15 Marines Brigade of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Brigadier General Michael Nyarwa, has underscored the importance of sustained operational readiness following a 30-kilometre route march conducted in Buliisa District, describing the exercise as a strategic demonstration of preparedness and inter-agency coordination.
The training activity brought together personnel from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, reflecting a unified approach to national security and readiness. The march, carried out in line with a directive from the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations (SPA/SO), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, was aimed at testing troops’ physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, resilience, and overall combat preparedness.
Brig Gen Nyarwa explained that the exercise was deliberately organised to ensure that all participating security personnel remain capable of executing their constitutional mandate. He noted that beyond its physical demands, the route march served as a platform to reinforce coordination among different security agencies operating within the region.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the activity, Brig Gen Nyarwa said the presence of the Brigade in Buliisa sends a clear message of vigilance and readiness, particularly to communities located near the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He emphasized that such visible operations are essential in reassuring the public of the UPDF’s commitment to their safety.
“We are here to assure Ugandans, to assure the people of Buliisa, that we are ready to protect them. Being near the borderline with the DRC, where the Allied Democratic Forces operate, this kind of movement sends a very serious signal that the UPDF remains alert and prepared,” he said.
Brig Gen Nyarwa further noted that the march achieved key objectives at both individual and unit levels, improving physical fitness, health, and mental resilience among troops, while strengthening teamwork—one of the core values of the Marines.
According to Brig Gen Nyarwa, although military equipment and technical skills are critical, the effectiveness of any force ultimately depends on the discipline and ideological orientation of its personnel.
The 30-kilometre route march forms part of routine activities on the UPDF calendar, conducted across various formations to sustain endurance, discipline, and combat readiness among troops.
