The Commandant of the Military Police Brigade, Maj Gen William Bainomugisha, has cautioned female soldiers against early pregnancy, urging them to first pursue military courses that can improve their skills and chances of career progression.
Bainomugisha said female soldiers should take advantage of training opportunities instead of avoiding courses and expecting to remain in the Military Police without acquiring the qualifications required for different assignments.
He was speaking at the opening of a two-day female combatants’ seminar at the 10 Military Police Brigade headquarters in Makindye, Kampala.
The seminar brought together 336 female officers and other female combatants from different Military Police battalions and the brigade headquarters.
Bainomugisha said Military Police duties, particularly VIP protection and the handling of prisoners, require personnel with specialised skills and proper training.
He encouraged the female soldiers to undertake courses such as Level III, saying the training would give them the skills needed to perform demanding duties.
The commander also warned soldiers who deliberately avoid military courses that their future in the Military Police could be affected.
“Be ready to exit or do Military Police courses to fit the task credentials than producing,” Bainomugisha said.
He pointed to female UPDF generals as examples of officers who have progressed through the ranks after working hard and undertaking several military courses.
Bainomugisha said female soldiers should therefore plan their careers carefully, including when to start families.
He advised them to consider completing about four years of military service before having children, arguing that this would give them time to attend courses and establish themselves in the army.
The issue of pregnancy has long been one of the challenges that can affect women’s participation and career progression in military service in Uganda.
However, the commander said female soldiers already in the service should use their opportunities to develop their careers rather than allow family responsibilities to prevent them from undertaking required training.
He said some female combatants were unable to attend the seminar because they were involved in ongoing operations in the Kampala Metropolitan area or were attending other military courses.
The seminar is intended to review the performance of female personnel and assess the key duties they undertake in the Military Police.
These include VIP duties and prison management, which the command says require disciplined and properly trained personnel.
The newly appointed Brigade Administration Officer, Lt Col Solome Nalukowe, also attended the seminar and urged the 336 participants to make discipline a priority in their military careers.
Capt Winfred Sande told the participants that postponing pregnancy during the early years of her military career had allowed her to take advantage of training and other opportunities.
“As other fellow combatants are attending military courses and participating in other military duties, you are on maternity leave,” Sande told the female soldiers.
She said she attended a Political Commissariat course during her first year in service and later went on study leave, with the UPDF meeting her expenses.
Sande said her discipline and commitment to military training also contributed to her becoming an officer.
She encouraged the female soldiers to use the early years of their service to acquire military education and prepare themselves for greater responsibilities.
