Rwandan military personnel on Field Training Exercise in Uganda

Rwanda is sending a Contingent of 206 Military joined Police officers to take part in a Field Training Exercise (FTX) codenamed “ Mashariki Salaam 2013” to be held in Jinja, Uganda from 19-26 May 2013.

The East Africa Standby Force regional field training, will exercise on the themes of Peace Keeping operations, Disaster Management, Counter Terrorism and Counter Piracy.

The Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga on May 6 briefed the Rwandan contingent departing for Jinja.

Lt Gen Charles Kayonga urged the troops to be good representatives of Rwanda. “Bear in mind that you are going to represent Rwanda.

Take responsibilities seriously, act professionally, be disciplined and concentrate on the exercise themes”.

The troops will be joining a regional multidimensional force comprising of about 1250 military, police and civilian components from 11 member countries of Eastern Africa Standby Force.

The training is aimed at building capacity to address the eminent threats the region such as security disasters.

The RDF spokesperson, Brig Gen Nzabamwita explained that the FTX “Mashariki Salaam 2013” is organized in framework of Eastern African Stand by Force to validate procedures and Lessons Learned after the First FTX held in Djibouti.

He said that Rwanda’s participation is yet another training opportunity to prepare ourselves with the multidimensional force.

EASF is one of the five regional components of the African Standby Force established by the African Union for the purpose of enhancing peace and stability on the continent.

In recent preparations of the exercise” Mashariki Salaam 2013”, the Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe said that by conducting the upcoming exercise, EASF is testing its readiness to implement the African Standby Force (ASF) road map in conflict prevention, management and resolution in the region.”

The full operation of AU Stand by Force will be scheduled for 2015.