KIGALI - The Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF–HOA), American Rear Admiral Brian L. Losey, yesterday concluded a three-day visit to the country and reiterated his country’s continuous partnership with the Rwanda Defence Forces.

Losey made the commitment yesterday during his visit to Gako Military Academy. During the visit, Admiral Losey was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington, Brig. Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura and other US officials.

At the academy, Losey was welcomed by its Commandant, Col. Aloys Muganga who briefed them on the activities of the academy since its inception, 10 years ago.
Muganga said that the academy was now capable of training junior officers at command level, has enough instructors, and conducts pre-deployment training for Peacekeeping Operations, capacity building for Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) and that it now has enough training facilities for peacekeepers and other command courses conducted at the academy.

Currently, the training at Gako is conducted with the help of Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance [ACOTA]. Muganga, however, asserted that they are capable of running the same training course on their own.
So far with the support of the US, there are two basic camps that can accommodate 1,600 men at a time.

Muganga also revealed that they are yet to construct another battalion accommodation area that can accommodate 800 men.

Muganga told the visitors that the academy has so far had six cadet intakes since it was established in 1999.

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