President Yoweri Museveni has launched the first ever refurbished and updated Russian type helicopter in Sub-Saharan Africa from the Pro Heli Plant International Services Ltd at Nakasongola Air Base.
The MI 24, which is a gunship, assault helicopter, and low-capacity troop transport, has been renovated and updated.
“I dispatched the late Kategaya to acquire MI 17 from the Soviet Union in 1986, but when the Soviet Union fell during the Gorbachev and Yeltsin eras, there was chaos. When Putin took power, he stabilized the country. I wish to congratulate President Putin on re-stabilizing and building Russia “Museveni stated,
He saw that there was no interaction with the Russian partners at the time, so he offered to fly to Russia as a tourist to rekindle the relationship with the Russians.
“You couldn’t acquire anything from Russia because there was no interaction. During a private visit, I collaborated with the UN headquarters. I stated that I wanted to rekindle this friendship. 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 stated.
Museveni stated that there was no conflict between Russia and Uganda, as well as the African continent.
He praised the Managing Director of NEC, Lt Gen Mugira, for taking the effort to follow through on the project, stating that many ideas are often developed but never implemented because they are not supported.
“Usually, these ideas arise, but they are not nurtured by people who are responsible, and they perish,” he observed.
The president further stated that he has frequently emphasized in writing to Western allies how the world should be handled not through rivalry but through collaboration.
“We don’t want this farce of competitiveness; what are you competing for, we have enough challenges to tackle as a human species. It should be done via collaboration and respect for countries’ domestic affairs. How can the entire planet be thinking the same way?”
In the same way, he informed the Western community that mobilizing African countries to stand against Russia was impossible.
“I recognized the possibility of common interests. We have no issues with Russia, and vice versa. How can you claim we’re fighting Russia for no reason? Over the previous 100 years, the Soviet Union has been with Africa, Asia, and South America “he stated.
Museven stated that the link between Africa and Russia in terms of military hardware assistance stretches back to President Abdel Nasser’s purchase of weapons from the Soviet Union in 1955, when there were no independent African countries other than Ethiopia, Egypt, and Liberia.
He observed that Russia has therefore been Africa’s partner for the previous 100 years, supporting anti-colonial forces.
Museveni emphasized the importance of the relationship with the PRO Heli facility in Nakasongola, calling it as “common sense.”
He stated that there is a high demand in Uganda for helicopters that require maintenance, refurbishment, and upgrade.
“Which is better? To do it there or here in Uganda? Of course, common wisdom is not necessarily common “he stated.
The excited Museveni also welcomed the idea proposed by PRO Heli International Services Ltd CEO Valari Copcin to have the Sukois overhauled and upgraded at the facility, to work with other countries in Africa, Latin America, and Brazil, adding that it is convenient for everyone in terms of proximity.
According to him, these countries may also profit from the facility’s services.
He did, however, mention that the facility benefits the economy by employing highly skilled Ugandan engineers whose pay is lower than that of their European counterparts.
“It is both strategically and economically smart to collaborate here,”
He also supported the notion of universal electronic countermeasures for self-protection in the air, as well as plans to service and maintain additional commercial aircrafts at the site. 5 | P a g e President Museveni, on the other hand, pushed Pro Heli to attract non-military investment in the same way that Chinese companies were.
“There is no end to our collaboration,” he added, complimenting the Russian government for not opposing to Uganda’s cooperation but rather backing it.
According to Defense Minister Vincent Ssempijja, the facility would save the government millions of dollars that were previously spent on helicopter repairs.
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He said that transferring only one helicopter to and from abroad for transportation and maintenance costs more than $2 million.
Ssempijja noted that several heads of state who have visited the facility have indicated a desire to bring equipment for servicing and maintenance.
The facility’s key benefits, according to Commander of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbadi, are self-reliance, military readiness, and the employment of nearly 200 Ugandan engineers.
He noted that the center will help enhance defense diplomacy since other countries will use its services.
Brig David Gonyi, who represented the commander of the UPDF Air Force Gen Okidi, emphasized various benefits the facility will provide, including providing the air force with a shorter length of duty while also supporting the country’s industrialisation program and economy.
“It used to take two years to refurbish a helicopter, but now with our own facility in Uganda, it only takes one year and three months,” he explained.
PRO Heli International Services CEO Valari Copcin stated that their goal is to make the facility a one-stop shop for all aviation needs.
