EAC Non Commissioned Officer Centre of Excellence Premiere Course graduates at RDF Combat Training Centre

{On behalf of Hon. Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba on 8 November 2013 presided over the closing ceremony of the first intake of East African Community (EAC) Non Commissioned Officers’ Centre of Excellence at RDF Combat Training Centre in Gabiro. The just concluded Sergeant Major’s Course aimed at harmonising doctrine among EAC Defence Forces was attended by 91 NCO from Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.}

In his closing remarks, the Rwanda Defence Force CDS expressed his satisfaction on the performance demonstrated by the course participants. He noted that the graduates are prepared and ready to deal with the contemporary and future security challenges.

“ I was personally impressed by your performance in the presentation we have just had in the command post, we are used to these presentations by officers not by Non Commissioned Officers”, reiterated Gen Nyamvumba. He thanked the Presidents of East African Community member countries for investing in military schools, such as the NCO Centre of Excellence, under the EAC Defence and Security Protocol. The CDS underlined that with no doubt, future joint exercises among the EAC Defence Forces will be much easier and realistic, given the professionalism gained by the NCOs.

Col Denis Rutaha Commandant of RDF Combat Training Centre, Gabiro said that the graduands gained skills in military tactics, leadership, organisation, combat resource management, military ethics and values, computer among others. He added that the skills gained would help them in professionalism and influence their subordinates in their respective Defence Forces.

The closing ceremony was attended by the High Commissioners of Kenya and Tanzania, Chief of General Staff of Sudan People’s Liberation Army, RDF Service Chiefs, Governor of Eastern Province among other dignitaries.

The Sergeant Major Course intake 01/13 was inaugurated by Hon. Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe together with Minister for East African Community (EAC), Hon. Jacqueline Muhongayire on 12 August.