UPDF Unveils Modern Auditorium at Singo With Support From U.S. Govt

The Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) has commissioned a new state-of-the-art auditorium at the International Peace Support Operations Training Centre (IPSO TC) in Singo, a project funded by the United States government under the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).

The facility, officially handed over by Phillip Palmer, Director of GPOI, is expected to enhance training capacity for Uganda’s military personnel participating in regional and international peacekeeping missions.

Speaking at the ceremony, UPDF Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, expressed gratitude for Washington’s longstanding support in building Uganda’s peacekeeping capabilities.

“This partnership with the United States, which dates back to 2007, has significantly strengthened our capacity in foreign missions,” Lt Gen Bakasumba said. He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to contributing troops and expertise wherever required to maintain international peace and security.

Representing the U.S. government, Lt Col Chris Noumba, Defence Attaché to Uganda, hailed the project as a symbol of the strong defence ties between the two nations.

“This auditorium reflects the strong ties between our two countries and Uganda’s unwavering role in advancing global peace,” he noted.

Brig Gen John Patrick Otongo, Commandant of IPSO TC, praised the engineering teams for their dedication and singled out Lt Gen Bakasumba and Mr. Palmer for first envisioning the project back in 2018. He also thanked the U.S. government for its ongoing support in infrastructure and equipment development.

The handover ceremony drew a high-level audience, including senior UPDF officers and representatives from the U.S. defence mission, underscoring the collaborative efforts in regional peace operations and capacity building.