EAST AFRICA: Armed forces from the different East African Community (EAC) states who have pitched camp in the districts of Jinja, Mayuge, and Buikwe for a two-week joint field training exercise have resolved to construct memorial projects within the host communities.
This 12th joint field training exercise is aimed at fostering interoperability amongst member states while addressing security threats and unforeseen disasters within the EAC region.
This year’s joint field training exercise, code-named “Ushirikiano Imara,” attracted 1533 personnel who will be completing their two-week field training exercise at Jinja city’s based Gaddafi barracks on Friday.
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The participants were sourced from the six countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi, whereas the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) assigned 10 observers to the exercise.
As a means of intensifying the spirit of integration within the region, the EAC armed forces have resolved to sponsor the construction of a maternity ward at Ivunamba health center II and two classroom blocks each at St. Mary’s Nsuube and Bukaya primary schools, respectively.
While speaking to journalists on Friday, Hellen Esayet, the head teacher of St. Mary’s Nsuube primary school, in the Northern division, in Jinja City, says that the new block will create enough space to foster a decent learning environment for the children.
However, Esayet still laments that they are grappling with the challenge of a lack of staff housing units, which frustrates the smooth implementation of the abridged curriculum since all teachers commute far from the school and arrive late for daily classroom duties.
Harriet Nabirye, a nursing assistant at Ivunamba health center II, in the Northern division of Jinja City, says that they have been operating in one building, but with the construction of a maternity ward, more pregnant mothers will access quality antenatal healthcare.
Edith Balunywa, the head teacher of Bukaya primary school, in Nyenga division, in Buikwe district, says that some of their pupils have been studying under trees due to limited space and that this project will improve the quality of the pupils’ learning environment.
Meanwhile, this EAC’s field exercise head of mission, Lydia Wanyoto, says that integration is better realized through mobilization of both armed forces and the civilian population alike. Therefore, the projects constructed within the community are aimed at spreading the spirit of togetherness amongst members of the EAC region.
