Global Courant 2023-04-19 11:26:04
The Supreme Commander of the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces, General Yoweri Museveni, today commissioned the first ever refurbished and upgraded Russian-type helicopter in sub-Saharan Africa at the Pro Heli Plant International Services Limited at Nakasongola Air Force Base.
“In 1986 I sent the late Kategaya to buy MI 17 from the Soviet Union, but soon after the Soviet Union collapsed during the time of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, chaos ensued. When Putin came to power, he stabilized the country. I would like to congratulate President Putin on stabilizing and re-strengthening Russia,” President Museveni said in a press release to EABW News.
Gene. Museveni who toured one of the hangers at the facility on arrival under the direction of Valari Copcin, the CEO PRO Heli International Services Ltd, said that there was no contact with the Russian partners, so he volunteered to travel to Russia as a tourist to the relationship with the Russians.
“You couldn’t get anything from Russia, there was no contact. I worked with the UN agency on a private visit. I said I wanted to revive this relationship. I went as a tourist and met the current foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and the former prime minister. That’s when I bought the SUKOI,” he revealed.
General Museveni further noted that there was no convergence of interests as there was no issue between Russia and Uganda as well as the African continent.
General Museveni also commended NEC’s general manager, Lieutenant General Mugira, for taking the initiative to follow up on the project and noted that many ideas are always conceived but eventually aborted because they are not supported.
“Normally these ideas come, but they are not cultivated by those who worry, they die,” he noted.
The president went on to say that he has often written to Western partners about how to run the world not through rivalry, but through cooperation.
“We don’t want this nonsense of rivalry, what are you competing for, we have enough problems to solve as a human race. It must be done through cooperation and respect for countries’ internal issues. How can you get the whole world to think the same way,” he wondered.
He said it was in the same vein that he told the Western world trying to mobilize African countries to oppose Russia that it was impossible for Africa to draw that line because Russia has never harmed the continent.
“How can you say without any reason that we are fighting against Russia,” he asked.
Museveni also said that heritage differs, giving an example of some groups marrying cousins, adding that in Uganda it is taboo because people of the same clan are not allowed to marry.
“Are you going to war over that now?” he asked. The Soviet Union has been with Africa, Asia and Latin America for the last 100 years,” he said.
General Museveni revealed the genesis of the Africa-Russia relationship in terms of military hardware support and said it dates back to the time of President Abdel Nasser who first bought equipment from the Soviet Union in 1955. Union, as there was no independent African country except Ethiopia, Egypt and Liberia.
He noted that this is why Russia has been Africa’s partner for the past 100 years, supporting anti-colonial movements.
He therefore emphasized that the collaboration with PRO Heli is healthy and described it as common sense. He said there is a high demand in Uganda for helicopters that need maintenance, overhaul and upgrades.
“Which is better to do it there or here in Uganda? Of course, what is common sense is not always common,” he said.
President Museveni welcomed and supported CEO PRO Heli’s ideas to also have the SUKOIs overhauled and upgraded at the facility, to collaborate with other countries in Africa and Latin America, as well as Brazil, adding that it will be convenient for everyone is in terms of proximity. He said these countries could also benefit from the facility’s services.
However, General Museveni noted that the facility serves for a better economy as it employs highly skilled Ugandan engineers whose pay is lower than their counterparts in Europe.
“Both strategically and economically it is very correct to work together here”,
He also welcomed the idea of the general airborne electronic self-protection countermeasures.
General Museveni further supported all measures and plans proposed by Pro Heli to maintain and service other commercial aircraft at the facility.
However, President Museveni urged Pro Heli to attract other investors in other areas that are non-military, as has been done with the Chinese investors.
“So there is no limit to our cooperation,” he said.
General Museveni again thanked the Russian government for not objecting to our cooperation but supporting it.
The Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Vincent Ssempijja thanked General Museveni for his wise and great leadership which has enabled Ugandans to see what is happening in the armed forces today.
He revealed that his ministry can save a lot from the facility, as transporting one helicopter abroad for transportation and maintenance costs more than $2 million.
He also said that many dignitaries, including heads of state, have visited the facility and expressed interest in bringing equipment to the facility for maintenance and overhaul.
The minister thanked PRO Heli for increasing the number of engineers in the factory from 50 to now 200.
“Your Excellency, we will not let you down, we will make sure that every coin is used properly,” he said.
The Chief of the Armed Forces (CDF), General Wilson Mbadi, pointed out the key benefits of the facility, including independence, combat readiness and employing 200 Ugandan engineers.
He added that the facility will also promote defense diplomacy as other countries will use the plant’s services.
Brig. General David Gonyi, who took the place of Air Force Commander General Okidi, highlighted the many benefits the plant has to offer, including reduced air force service time and supporting the country’s industrialization policies and economy.
“It used to take 2 years to overhaul a helicopter, but today, with our own facility in Uganda, it only takes a year and 3 months,” he said.
PRO Heli International Services CEO Valari Copcin said their goal is to make the facility a one-stop shop for all aviation needs.
NEC’s general manager, General James Mugira, outlined the achievements achieved within a year of the plant’s establishment, citing building capacity transfer of technology and skills as one of these achievements.
Others in attendance at the function included PS Defense Ministry Ms. Rosette Byengoma, a delegation of Russian aviation experts, officials of the Russian embassy, heads and senior officers of UPDF.
