At least 90 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from East African Community member states have started a 12-week joint training at Gabiro Centre of Excellence in Gatsibo District.The Minister for Defence, James Kabarebe, opened the first intake of EAC Non-Commissioned Officers and Sergeant Majors’ course yesterday.The Centre of Excellence is under the RDF Combined Training Centre, Gabiro.Kabarebe said the establishment of the NCOs training was geared at streamlining defence and security issues of EAC member states.He said the centre was in line with article 6 of the draft protocol on cooperation in defence in EAC."The decision was made after a series of meetings. Partner states agreed to cooperate in military training by offering each other’s military institutions and facilities for training personnel, etc. This is what is being implemented today,” he said.Kabarebe said in accordance with Article 3 of the protocol, it was agreed that EAC armed defence training doctrine be harmonised.Commending all armed forces and leaders of EAC governments, Kabarebe said Gabiro School of Infantry was unanimously adopted as EAC NCOs training centre of excellence."The joint training seeks to harmonise doctrines to facilitate interoperability of forces during exercises and future multinational operations,” he said.Gabiro School of Infantry was recently transformed into a centre for excellence with modern infrastructure to host high-level courses.According to the spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Forces, Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, the centre will advance professional military training of NCOs by integrating training, education and experiential learning."We have what it takes. Modern and sufficient infrastructure, an environment to produce competent and professional soldiers is in place,” he  said.The opening ceremony was attended by, among others, the Minister for EAC Affairs, Jacqueline Muhongayire, RDF Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Patrick Nyanvumba and Military Attachés representing several countries.Also present were Maj. Gen. C.J. Itenga (Tanzania), Maj. Gen. L.B. Karuhanga (Uganda), and Brig. Gen. T. Kandetse from Burundi.