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KITGUM, Uganda — A joint force of U.S. Soldiers and Sailors, escorted by
members of the Ugandan People’s Defense Force, headed north out of Entebbe toward Kitgum, Uganda – the site of Natural Fire 10.
This marks one of the first partnership efforts in the multilateral exercise, which offers an opportunity for East African partner nations and the U.S. military to work together to increase regional capabilities to respond to complex humanitarian emergencies. Military personnel from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States will participate in this year’s exercise.
The military escort cut quickly through the capital traffic of Kampala, speeding the U.S. forces on their way. Outside of the capital, the traffic fell off considerably, and the vehicles were only slowed by the occasional speed bump or poor road conditions. At the crossing of the Nile, the line of vehicles stopped for a brief photo opportunity.
After crossing the Nile, the busses slowed slightly as they passed a nature reserve to allow baboons to walk across the road. The road deteriorated slightly north of the nature reserve as another major route branched off; dodging potholes occasionally forced the busses to follow the escort onto the dirt shoulder. In Gulu, the busses stopped at an inn for a brief break and to fill up on water.
The town of Gulu also marked the end of paved roads; the journey north continued on hard, packed dirt. But unlike most dirt roads in the United States, these dirt roads are well travelled. They are two lanes wide and often show the effects of the most recent rains.
By late in the day, the roads had dried from the previous night’s rainfall, but a week of heavy rain had left a number of potholes and depressions, which slowed the pace of travel.
“From Gulu to Kitgum it was a little bit dusty, a little bit rough, but it was okay,” said Sgt. Ezekiel Kibet, a maintenance supervisor with the 317th Maintenance Company, 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, who was on the escort. “At least we were able to make it and be on time.”
Even though the U.S. forces arrived in Kitgum late in the evening, the inn had dinner ready and a bonfire lit. After a night of rest, the Soldiers and Sailors began on-site preparations for the life support area for Natural Fire 10. The life support area is a temporary living area where U.S. forces participating in the multilateral exercise will reside.
