The Medflag 2002 joint and combined military and health exercise kicked off in Soroti yesterday with a strong advice to the foreign participants to guard against a swarm of prostitutes who stormed the town in search of dollars.

Soroti LC5 chairman John Emily Otekat in a key note address said the prostitutes were not interested in the local community, but were determined to "milk" any available cash in the hands of the foreign participants.

"My strong advice to you is that do not get involved too much. We need you safe and sound for the success of our operations," Otekat said.

The Iteso cultural leader, Emorimor Augustine Osuban launched the two-week exercise with an assurance to the nine participating countries that they would get maximum cooperation from the Teso region.

The UPDF 3rd division commander, Col. Sula Semakula, Lt.Col. Dr. Karongo attended the opening ceremony.

The participating countries included Kenya, South Africa, France, Morocco, Rwanda, U.K., and host Uganda. Participants from the Netherlands were expected to arrive later.

Those present included Lt. Col. Moudene Ahmed from Morocco, Major Dr. J.P. Bitega and Capt. Justin Nkurunziza from Rwanda together with Capt. Peter Schoub and Capt. Dr. Mvula Tshabalam from the South African Military health services.

Lt. Col. Rebecca Brown from the U.S. Airbase in Spangdahlem, Germany said the exercise would be carried out in three phases.

She said the first phase would include basic and advance trauma training for nurses and physicians respectively. She said the second phase would involve carrying out civil medical assistance programmes.