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training on the planning process would be taught at BG and Bn HQ Level (BG sitting
at sub Bde level within the UPDF) with the aim of developing a plan and delivering orders for the exercising sub-units to work to; my role would principally be one of co-ordination to ensure that the process where possible fitted together. The fact
that Uganda has the UPDF rather than an Army was pertinently raised at this point; the UPDF defeated the Ugandan Army in the last coup, the CO of the first Bn to be trained had fought as part of that Coup, he was returning to Simba to conduct training in an area where he had previously fought battles. He was also prone to carrying a traditional whip, the bite of which I was keen to avoid. The concept of the training would be that the sub-units would rotate through a series of training packages focused on FOB Ops, Convoy Ops, Rural and Urban Ops. Interspersed with this would be elements of CIMIC, female engagement teams, prisoner handling and detention serials all mentored by specialist attached to the Bn STTT. The difficulties of real life G4 support and local infrastructure would all add to the challenge, compounded by the fact that we would
be teaching and testing in English though interpreters and local UPDF instructors.
conditions that tested trainer and trainee alike; it was around 40° C during the day, dropping to 30°C at night. Every night we were amazed by stunning electrical storms in the in the near distance but wondered where the rain would fall. It all fell at once in a thirty minute period that laid waste to our tented accommodation and stopped all activity for just over an hour before the sun returned and baked everything, including
a waterlogged laptop, dry. The contractor supplied food was excellent and we always had bottled water but the accommodation
disgruntled locals. At the end of the first weeks’ training the STTT had a quick to race to the top of the local mountain and then unwound with a BBQ and a cool drink before the whole process was repeated for the second Battalion in the BG.
For me the highlight of the whole experience came at the end of the first CFX package. The whole of 49 Bn formed up
in a hollow square, we presumed to receive a debrief. The 49 Bn CO was front and centre, the RSM was chivvying people into position; then the singing started. Imagine the closing scenes of Zulu, each company was led in chant and refrain by the sub-unit tenor, the song translated to “if I should
die, bring my body back to this land”, a good soldiers song. Sub-units sang with each other and against each other, led
on by a SNCO who may have been the worst soldier on earth but could sing and dance; it was a beautiful moment. Then the CO took the lead! I am fortunate to have served under (and obviously currently do serve under) some inspirational men but I don’t think any of them have led the Bn in song! And then with, the 4 MERCIAN CO meeting the Defence Attaché, I realised I was due to speak next. Despite prompts
to sing and dance I elected not to. On completion of the second Bn training package we departed Simba camp for a hotel in Entebbe. Cpl Shotton was elected the STTT diving champion and the hotel bar sold the occasional beverage. Everyone enjoyed themselves and importantly no one fell down any holes!
In all I found the deployment as part of the STTT both rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable; I didn’t see any big game but I did see tangible improvements in the UPDF personnel we were tasked to train. It is
an experience I hope to repeat and would recommend it to anyone considering taking part.
A day of confirmation training before the CFX confirmed that although not technically an army, Napoleon’s maxim that an army marched on its stomach held true for the PPDF. Everything stopped for all meals; the CSM and RSM principal focus appeared entirely on ensuring that meal timings were met; throughout the CFX within the Bn Ops room the first point of order for the G4 rep/ QM was if meal timings had been met! At the tactical level troops
were enthusiastic and
ready to learn. They
also fought light and
moved fast, something
that became apparent
to the rural training
team who found
themselves conducting
a quick Brecon 2
miler to make H hour.
Some lessons were
new and in the case of
FOB Ops, apparently
alien to previous UPDF training. Some elements such as ground sign awareness were carried out in a professional manner throughout. In all cases the improvement was marked. Throughout the package
the qualities of the STTT came to the floor, encouraging and coaxing where required, cajoling when lessons weren’t being
taken on board and showing considerable flexibility when training wasn’t going as planned. Every task was undertaken with
a sense of enthusiasm but also admiration for the ability of the Ugandan soldiers to work with so little, a recognition that if
push came to shove, professional pride meant we could operate with such limited resources but we would prefer not to. All
of the training was conducted in arduous
basic.
Working at the Bn
level it was clear that the driving force was very often the CO with one or maybe two capable Bn staff officers. Few had received any formal training to support
the CO and thus he was very much the man under pressure. And it was all done in English for my benefit, I am confident that
I understand the British army planning process better (I should!) but I couldn’t deliver it in a different language (I wish I could). After building up throughout the first four days, the first battalion training culminated with a battalion level operation centred on a snatch operation in the urban environment; it could have gone better
but it could have gone a lot worse! There were definite signs of tactical development within the sub-units and the Battalion HQ progressed significantly, planning and conducting a very quick planning cycle, prompted by a newly empowered junior signaller with critical information (he told them to shut up and listen!), delivering QBOs and launching a rescue op for friendly forces who had been snatched by
whilst effective was
Every task was undertaken with a sense of enthusiasm but also admiration for the ability of the Ugandan soldiers to work with so little
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