The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), H.E. Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has today officiated at the graduation ceremony of Cohort Four (04-2025/2026) of the National Defence College – Uganda (NDC-U) in Buikwe district.
The 21 graduands successfully completed the National Security and Strategic Studies Course.
In his remarks, President Museveni congratulated the graduands and urged Ugandans to join the money economy to defend Uganda and Africa against any form of threat.
He said: _”If you want to defend Africa, the economy must undergo socio-economic transformation, there must be universal education, economic and political integration to defend Africa.”_
President Museveni urged citizens to join the money economy by engaging in commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, exploring the service sector, and embracing information and communication technology.
_”All peasants must disappear and we get a new society, then you will defend Africa,”_ he reiterated.
The President warned against “working for the stomach” or subsistence agriculture, and called on Ugandans to join the four money-making sectors.
He also called for the modernisation of the army and the application of modern weapons, other than rifles, to fight effectively and dominate land, air, sea and space, in the same manner as America, China, India and Russia.
President Museveni concluded by declaring that after developing the economy, the country should then embark on building defence capabilities on land, air, sea and space.
The Minister of State for Defence in charge of General Duties, Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, thanked President Museveni for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to national security, which she described as driving forces behind the modernisation of the Defence Forces.
The State Defence Minister said the day’s graduation was a significant milestone not only for the graduands but for both the nation and the region, as it had produced strategic thinkers.
She told graduands that their success reflected discipline, resilience and intellectual commitment and dedication to service.
_”Invest in advanced strategic thinking to strengthen institutional capacity at all levels of command,”_ she told graduands.
She also urged them to apply the knowledge and insights acquired with wisdom, integrity and patriotism.
Hon. Akifeza acknowledged the importance of training in the ever-changing operational environment characterised by transnational crime, terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime and climate change, among others, saying _”training sharpens military competency and strengthens strategic security partnerships.”_
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commended President Museveni for the unwavering support, guidance and wisdom that have continued to shape the UPDF into a modern, ideologically grounded force.
He welcomed the graduands to the clan of strategic thinkers, noting that they had completed all military courses and that the nation would now demand more from them. _”We have given you a lot and we are going to demand more from you,”_ he said.
The Commandant of the NDC-U, Brig Gen Alex Olupot, commended the President for attaching value to professional military education, national security and the development of strategic leaders capable of navigating the increasingly complex security environment of the twenty-first century.
_”Your unwavering commitment to building professional, ideologically grounded and strategically minded leaders continues to inspire the transformation of our defence and security institutions,”_ he noted.
He said modern security challenges demand collaboration between different sectors to ensure stability.
He urged graduands to put national interest above personal interests, lead with integrity and be champions of strategic thinking. _”I urge you to lead and think strategically and maintain integrity as a foundation of leadership,”_ he said, adding that the day’s graduation was not the end of learning but marked the beginning of significant responsibility to national service.
The course prepares participants to improve decision-making, manage diplomatic and strategic thinking, enhance communication skills and handle crisis leadership.
The graduation ceremony for 03 Brigadier Generals, 18 Colonels and 01 civilian, of whom 03 were female, was also attended by the Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veterans Affairs Hon Dr Oleru Huda, Minister of State for Public Service Hon Lydia Wanyoto, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President and Woman Member of Parliament for Buikwe Hon Diana Mutasingwa, Permanent Secretary MODVA Mrs. Rosette Byengoma, and academia from different institutions.
Others in attendance were UPDF General Officers, senior and junior officers, representatives from the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, area local leaders and religious leaders, and family members of graduands, among others.
Course members were awarded certificates and authorised to use the ‘ndc’ post-nominal on all their particulars. The best overall student was Brig Gen Freddy Joseph Onata, followed by Col David Okumu and Mr. Peter Temela.
