The Third Deputy Prime Minister, Lukia Isanga Nakadama has today officiated at the inauguration ceremony of the National Forensic Sciences University (India – Africa Campus) on behalf of the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The inauguration ceremony at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC) Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja District was also witnessed by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyan Jaishankar on behalf of India’s Prime Minister Nerandra Modi.
Speaking to distinguished guests at the function, Nakadama, who doubles as the Woman MP for Mayuge District, commended the Government of India for helping Uganda establish the NFSU – Uganda Campus.
She said that the act demonstrates the excellent diplomatic relationship between India and Uganda, and will create forensic and allied experts that manage complex security situations.
Nakadama pledged government support to the NFSU to meet its expectations and further enhance the existing cordial bilateral relations.
“This is the first NFSU branch that India has built outside their country,” remarked the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister.
She further mentioned that the Uganda Government has already secured 130 acres of land with a 99-year-old lease for the construction of the permanent NFSU – Uganda campus.
The External Affairs Minister for India Dr. Subrahmanyan Jaishankar praised the robust relationship between India and Uganda, saying it reflects the visionary leadership in both countries.
Dr. Jaishankar also noted that the first foreign campus for the NFSU of India will mark a significant milestone in furthering bilateral defence cooperation between India and Uganda.
He observed that courses in forensic science are in high demand world over for the past few years.
The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja recognized the strategic vision between President Museveni and India’s Prime Minister Nerandra Modi in building modern and efficient economies based on science and technology to spur social economic transformation.
He said that both Uganda and India need a shared peace, adding that the University will facilitate technological transfer and enhance defence capabilities to address emerging threats.
“The investigative capacities of our legal experts will be greatly enhanced with this university,” he concluded.
Speaking at the same ceremony on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Deputy CDF Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu commended President Museveni for his earlier guidance on building the workability of the tripartite doctrine; where any assistance must seek to build internal capability, as evidenced by the day’s security related scientific education at URDCC.
Lt. Gen. Elwelu noted that the coming of the NFSU will have a positive bearing on the national security architecture since it will plug the gap of the acute shortage of forensic experts both in Uganda and Africa, bust crime more easily and in a scientific way, aid more research in forensic science crime management and add on the already existing curriculum.
“By building capacity and capability enhancement, UPDF is becoming more of a highly productive force,” said Lt. Gen. Elwelu, adding that UPDF shall remain focused on providing conditions for investment in Uganda and beyond.
The deputy CDF also remarked that the management of contemporary security challenges calls for science and technology. “The spirit of science and technology has taken over man,” he said.
Elwelu further noted that the most serious threat to man is science, not conventional wars and crimes, and thus necessitating the adoption of science and technology to safeguard our human life and security.
At the same ceremony, a plaque was declared and signed by Dr. Jaishankar for a satellite survey program and mapping agreed upon between the Government of Uganda and Government of India.
The NFSU will provide specialized training in forensic (use scientific methods and techniques to investigate crime), cyber security, digital forensics, behavioural and allied sciences.
The ceremony was also graced by the attendance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo, Minister of Security Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Minister of State for Defence in charge of General Duties Jacob Marksons Oboth, Minister of State for Urban Development Persis Namuganza, Internal Affairs Permanent Secretary Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, MODVA Under Secretary in charge of Finance and Administration Edith Buturo, Managing Director Uganda Air Cargo Lt. Gen. Nakibus Lakara, Commander 2nd Division Maj. Gen. Bob Ogik, Chief Political Commissar Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, Commander Military Police Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa, Chief of Training and Recruitment Brig. Mathew Gureme.
Others were delegations from the Ministry of Foreign and Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, India High Commission, and the training teams from India serving in Uganda’s military schools, among others.
