A total of 75 Non Commissioned Officers (NCO) from the East African Community (EAC) partner states and South Sudan were on Wednesday awarded certificates after completing a three-month training at the EAC Centre of Excellence in Gabiro, Gatsibo District.

The NCOs trained in military company administration such as counter intelligence, counter terrorism, first aid and medical support.

The trainees were from Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda.

According to the commandant of the school, Col. JB Ngiruwonsanga, the training was initially designed to last 12 weeks but was extended for two more weeks to allow the trainees acquire computer skills.

Maj. Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, who presided over the function, explained the rationale of setting up Gabiro Combat Training Centre as a centre of excellence in East Africa.

He said the course was of great significance as far as the participants’ work was concerned.

He further commended the centre for its continued training of highly skilled military personnel in the region.

"This centre was set up with a major objective of training forces of East African member states. We have no doubt that the lessons our officers learnt here will be useful,” he said.

Meanwhile, the graduates were upbeat that the skills they acquired would be instrumental in their daily duties.Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, the Defence and Military, spokesman, said the course also helped to foster relationship among the participants.

"The course makes great sense for East African partner states. The skills the soldiers acquired will be useful to the entire region. The young soldiers mastered skills essential in administration,” he said.

All the trainees scored above 50 per cent. The top three performers were Staff Sgt. Francis Muvunyi, Sgt. Pascal Nyandwi (both Rwandans), and Staff Sgt. Martin Peter Kaziro, from Tanzania.