Uganda’s President and Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday presided over the commissioning into flight of the first overhauled Russian helicopter (MI 24) on the African continent South of the Sahara.
The ceremony happened at Proheli International Services Limited MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) Plant headquarters in Nakasongola district.
Speaking to distinguished guests from the Russian embassy in Uganda, visiting delegations from Russia, Proheli staff and UPDF fraternity, President Museveni congratulated Proheli for developing and bringing the facility to Uganda.
He said: “where there’s demand, there’s opportunity for business and demand for Russian defence products in Africa has existed since 1955.”
The President also urged Russia to persuade more investors to Uganda in other fields other than defence. “I call upon Russia to get us more investors and there should be no limit to our cooperation. I thank the Russian Government for supporting us and building the M1 24 facility,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Hon Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja commended the President for building a modern and productive army. “Overhauling helicopters in Uganda is a great achievement and saves the country a lot of money,” he said.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by the attendance of the MODVA Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rosette Byengoma, Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander Reserve Forces Lt Gen Charles Otema, CEO Maj Gen Sabiti Muzeyi, and the acting Chief of Staff Land Force Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, among other UPDF Officers and Militants.
