Anti-terror squad passed out in time for al Shabaab

 The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces on Friday passed out a 196-strong Joint Anti-terrorism Taskforce (JATT) squad after undergoing a six-month training in a move to promote professionalism in the force.

Sixteen of the trainees got additional motorbike riding skills.
Orland Balak, the chief instructor from Israel, said the graduates have skills to counter terrorism threats of any kind.“It is now your duty to ensure the safety of your nation and make us proud by winning battles,” Mr Balak said at the pass out ceremony held at Nakasongola Army Cantonment.A total of 310 trainees were chosen from the Police Force and UPDF by their commanders but only 196 finished the training as the rest were deployed before the end of the course.
Immediate involvement
The Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig. James Mugira, said the new squad has completed the training at a time the country is searching for terrorists who struck Kampala city on July 11, killing 76 people.
He said the new squad will join the already existing anti-terrorism squad to strengthen the army operations against terrorist groups in the country.“You are going to use your skills immediately now that the country is encountering terrorists,” said Brig. Mugira adding that terrorists do not know religion or tribe.Brig. Mugira criticised those reasoning that the al-Shabaab had attacked Uganda because of the UPDF presence in Somalia. “When terrorists attacked Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, were these countries in Somalia? It is completely nonsense to say that the Ugandan attack was a result of deploying in Somalia,” said Brig. Mugira. UPDF is in Somalia under the AU mandate and have a responsibility of ensuring that peace exists in the neighbouring states, he added..The intelligence chief said although Allied Democratic Forces rebel group was defeated long ago, some remnants are still in the country conniving with the al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda.