Fourteen personnel of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) have completed a six-week Aviation Security (AVSEC) course in Mogadishu aimed at strengthening airport safety and improving operational readiness among troops deployed in Somalia.
The training was conducted under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which continues to support security and stabilization efforts in the country.
The trainees were officially passed out by the Sector One Contingent Administrative Officer, Hamza Kasaija, who urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course while carrying out their duties.
"Be careful, remain safe and minimise risks that may endanger lives and property by adhering to what you have been taught," Col Kasaija told the graduates during the ceremony.
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The six-week course focused on aviation security procedures designed to enhance safety at airports and ensure effective response to potential threats. It is part of ongoing efforts to equip UPDF personnel with specialised skills required to support air operations and protect critical aviation infrastructure in Somalia.
The lead facilitator, David Romoleroux, Prime Manager at Hart/Longport, said the training was designed to strengthen the professionalism and operational capacity of the participants.
Romoleroux said the programme equipped the officers with practical knowledge and skills necessary to perform aviation security duties effectively in complex operational environments.
The Battle Group Air Component Commander, Thamson Musoke, commended the participants for their discipline and commitment throughout the course.
Lt Col Musoke also expressed gratitude to the leadership of both AUSSOM and the UPDF, as well as the facilitators who conducted the training, for supporting the programme.
He noted that building the capacity of personnel tasked with aviation security is critical to ensuring the safety of airport operations, particularly in areas where military and humanitarian flights play a key role in sustaining peace support missions.
The graduation ceremony was attended by senior and junior officers from both AUSSOM and the UPDF, highlighting the continued cooperation between the mission and troop-contributing countries in strengthening operational capabilities.
The training forms part of broader efforts by AUSSOM to enhance security structures in Somalia while ensuring that peacekeeping forces operating in the country maintain high professional standards in their specialised roles.
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