By Frank Kamuntu
The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), His Excellency Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has commissioned 352 officer cadets who completed their training at the Uganda Military Academy, Kabamba, in Mubende District.
They included 105 cadets from the Bachelor of Defence Studies Course (Intake 04/22/25), 218 professional cadets, 11 cadets trained abroad, and 18 pilot cadets. Twenty-two of the new officers are from allied defence forces, including the Kenya Defence Forces, Rwanda Defence Force, Tanzania People’s Defence Forces, South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, and the Central African Armed Forces.
The President congratulated the newly commissioned officers and thanked the Chief of Defence Forces and the UPDF leadership for their continued commitment to training not only the officer cadets but the entire personnel of the UPDF.
“Congratulations. Now, with the new officers, I can think of four words, not only for you, but for all other officers, men, sergeants, and NCOs of the UPDF. The first is health. You must look after your health because it is crucial,” the President said.
He noted that completing the course was possible because of good health and advised the officers to avoid all risk factors that affect it.
On discipline, the President reminded the officer that the military thrives on teamwork and order. “You cannot be a soldier if you are not disciplined because soldiers must move not as individuals but as groups, in a section, a platoon, a company, a battalion, a division. Discipline makes you coordinate with all others without arguments when you are in the course of duty,” he said.
Turning to ideology, the President cautioned against adopting colonial mindsets that undermine patriotism and self-worth. “You cannot be an army of Uganda if you have a colonial mentality or a mentality of inferiority. It is important to know why you are a soldier of Uganda. You must understand our principles: patriotism, love Uganda; Pan-Africanism, love Africa; socio-transformation, and democracy.”
He warned that corruption is incompatible with patriotism. “You can’t be patriotic and Pan-Africanist and want your people to undergo social and economic transformation and become corrupt. People become corrupt because they don’t know those principles and think individualism is more important than the country and its people.”
President Museveni further challenged the officers to deepen their understanding of modern warfare. Drawing lessons from global conflicts, he explained that military victory depends on strategic clarity, not just bravery. “In war, you must know how to achieve tactical superiority within strategic inferiority,” he said.
The President urged the officers to understand modern warfare, which now operates in four dimensions; land, air, sea, and space. He encouraged African nations to work together to prepare for future security challenges.
“If you are clear about all this, there is nothing that can defeat us. We have all the resources; what is lacking is knowledge and coordination with other African countries. That’s why I’m happy to see the fraternal students from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. We should continue to discuss how to secure Africa against future threats,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, thanked President Museveni for his visionary leadership and strategic guidance. He urged Ugandans to safeguard the achievements made under the current leadership.
“Every household in Uganda has benefited from the gains of peace and stability. These gains must be protected,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, praised President Museveni for transforming the UPDF into a disciplined and capable force.
“Your Excellency, this powerful UPDF as we know it today was launched in this very area that we are meeting in 44 years ago, that is on the 6th of February 1981. The UPDF has since then developed into the biggest force in the country’s socio-economic transformation.”
“In the neighbourhood, in South Sudan, the DRC, in Somalia, in the Central African Republic, in Equatorial Guinea, the UPDF continues to be a force for good,” he said.
He stated that wherever the call of duty was made on the African continent, the UPDF stood ready to respond. He credited the President with teaching not just patriotism, but also “an Africanism, love of our African brotherhood.”
“That is why among this cohort of officer cadets, there are cadets from our brotherly countries of Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Kenya, and the Central African Republic.”
Gen. Muhoozi commended the cadets for their courage and commitment to serve their countries, describing soldiering as “the highest vocation in human experience.”
He said that the officer graduates had been “successfully prepared to meet the rigorous demands required of commanders in modern warfare.” He added that the young men and women present “represent institutional renewal” and were therefore “a most valued addition to the UPDF ranks.” With this reinforcement, he said, “We will be able to achieve a lot more.”
Gen Muhoozi pointed out to the young officers that “the end of this officer cadet training is only the beginning of their journey in the UPDF in terms of training.” He explained that “a lot more training is yet to come” and assured them that “we’ll continue to sharpen them until they are the best warriors and commanders out there, able to deal with whatever is thrown at them in the line of duty.”
He reminded them that in the UPDF, “we do what we are told to do and do it well.”
The CDF stated that “we have never failed in any of our missions,” saying this was “the attitude we are looking for as these young officers embark on their careers.”
Gen Muhoozi observed that, “we have made great strides in terms of the welfare of our officers and men” and that “we are working on a lot more to come.” He listed the improvements to include “better remuneration, improved accommodation facilities and office working spaces, military clothing, feeding, better transport and logistics and improved education and health services.”
On corruption, Gen Muhoozi said, “We do not tolerate wastage and abuse of our limited resources that are meant to improve the operating conditions of our brave soldiers.”
He emphasised that “it is abhorrent and a desecration of duty for any commander or officer to misuse or divert resources for selfish gain.” Addressing the President, he added that “we are already taking decisive action against those who do not heed this call.”
The Commandant of the Uganda Military Academy, Brig Gen Saad Katemba, commended the officer cadets for their “endurance, resilience, and dedication throughout your respective training programs.”
He congratulated them on their great achievement and urged that their future performance should reflect their sacrifices and the image of the institution.
He thanked “the spouses, parents, relatives, and friends of the graduates” for the “material, spiritual, and psychological support.”
He expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and the distinguished professors for their dedication and effort toward the cause, adding that their contribution was “much appreciated.”
Present at the ceremony were; the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs), Hon. Huda Abason Oleru; Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rosette Byengoma; Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba; Services Commanders, Service Chiefs of Staff, Members of the Joint Staff, Defence Attachés from Fraternal Countries, Generals, Senior Officers among others.
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