President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has commissioned 280 officer cadets who completed the Bachelor of Defence Studies and Professional Cadet programmes at the Uganda Military Academy (UMA), Kabamba.
The graduates comprised 87 cadets from the Bachelor of Defence Studies (Intake 05/23-23) and 193 from the Professional Cadet Course (Intake 09/26).
Among the graduates were six cadets who trained abroad, including two female officers. Officer Cadets Ruhamya Kainerugaba and Bakari Andrew trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, while Officer Cadets Aniyonde Penina, Abut Edith, Omoding Junior and Tumwine Innocent trained in Chennai, India.
Five cadets came from partner countries’ defence forces, comprising two from the Kenya Defence Forces, one from the Rwanda Defence Force and two from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Museveni outlined key factors for building a strong and effective defence force, including a robust economy, a close relationship between the army and the population, professional military training, investment in science and technology, and strategic cooperation among African countries.
“One of the factors is a strong economy. A strong economy would be able to support a strong army,” President Museveni said.
He urged UPDF leaders to identify factors undermining economic growth and work with relevant stakeholders to ensure sustained economic expansion.
“The economy is grown mainly by wealth creators. Wealth creators in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, artisanship, services, and ICT,” he said.
On the recent rise in crime, President Museveni warned that criminal acts undermine wealth creation and must be dealt with firmly.
“That’s sabotage. It must not be tolerated,” he said.
The President also underscored the strategic relationship between the army and the population, emphasising that discipline and good conduct are essential to maintaining public trust. He recalled that popular support had helped fighters during the liberation struggle despite their limited access to weapons.
“We didn’t have enough weapons in the bush, but the support of the people was positive for those weapons in many cases,” he said.
Gen Museveni called for greater investment in science and technology to address Africa’s historical technological disadvantages and strengthen the continent’s capacity to defend itself. He also stressed the need for African countries to coordinate their defence capabilities across land, air, sea and space to respond effectively to evolving security threats.
He commended the UPDF leadership for efforts to improve soldiers’ welfare and combat corruption, describing these measures as essential to strengthening the force.
The President directed the military leadership to prioritise training institutions and develop them into modern centres of excellence equipped with the necessary facilities to produce highly competent officers. He also advised the newly commissioned officers to take care of their health, noting that physical well-being was essential for a long and productive career in service to the country.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, thanked the President for his continued guidance and commitment to strengthening Uganda’s defence capabilities.
He commended the UPDF leadership, under the stewardship of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for advancing military professionalisation, human resource development, infrastructure improvement, soldiers’ welfare and the fight against corruption.
Hon. Kiwanuka highlighted the importance of military cooperation with regional partners, particularly Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. He noted that joint training, professional exchanges and the sharing of military experience enhance interoperability, mutual trust and regional stability.
He urged the newly commissioned officers to uphold discipline, integrity and loyalty to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief, emphasising that leadership should be measured by service, courage and responsibility rather than rank.
“Wear your uniform with honour, lead with integrity… Remember that leadership is measured not by rank, but by service, courage and responsibility. Always put the mission, your soldiers and the interests of the people of Uganda above your personal ambition,” Hon. Kiryowa said.
The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, congratulated the cadets on completing their training and commended them for their endurance, discipline and commitment.
“I congratulate you for successfully completing your first major professional military course. You have exhibited great discipline, endurance, and commitment in your officer training, and today I welcome you to the great UPDF Officer Corps,” Gen Kainerugaba said.
He said the young officers must understand that the UPDF is anchored on discipline, courage and loyalty to the President’s vision, Uganda and the institution.
Gen Kainerugaba added that the UPDF had made significant progress in training, equipment acquisition and soldiers’ welfare over the past three years.
“Your Excellency, the UPDF continues to prioritise training, equipment acquisition, and improved welfare of soldiers anchored on firm discipline and conscious ideological and political education. In the past almost three years of our command of the UPDF, we have achieved tremendous progress in that regard,” he said.
He noted that the UPDF, guided by its patriotic and Pan-African vision, continued to contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and regional peace and security efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Somalia.
Addressing the recent upsurge in violent crime in parts of the country, Gen Kainerugaba said such acts “will not be tolerated”.
He said security agencies operating under the Interagency Security Framework were synchronising their efforts to trace and punish offenders, adding that no effort would be spared until the right to life and property was fully restored.
The Commandant of the Uganda Military Academy, Kabamba, Brig Gen Saad Katemba, said the two programmes were designed to support national security, citizen well-being and the country’s strategic development plan.
He observed that military training was shifting from traditional instruction towards critical thinking and informed decision-making.
“Your Excellency, traditional military training is now shifting to the sphere of critical thinking. Through the partnership with Makerere University, the Academy aims to generate competences which aim at guaranteeing future security and defence practitioners to take timely and informed decisions in the execution of their day-to-day tasks,” Brig Gen Katemba said.
He added that, in collaboration with Makerere University, officers with advanced clinical qualifications would soon be evaluated and cleared to practise in their respective fields to help address human resource gaps.
Brig Gen Katemba explained that the Bachelor of Defence Studies programme runs for three years, combining academic studies leading to a degree in Defence Studies with military leadership training focused on basic unit command competencies and tactical skills. Both components are delivered within a military regimental operational environment.
He advised the graduates to remain mindful of the people observing their careers, including admirers, competitors and supervisors, and to guard against manipulative interest groups seeking to divert them from the institution’s foundation and national ideology.
“Compete in good faith, learn from your supervisors and remain alert to manipulative interest groups that may seek to undermine your professional values and the institution’s foundation. Stay steadfast and never relent,” he said.
Brig Gen Katemba thanked the cadets’ families for their support and the residents of surrounding communities for tolerating the noise and disruption associated with military activities. He also prayed for the President’s continued good health.
The ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament, the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, Service Chiefs, the Chief of Joint Staff, members of the Joint Staff, service and formation commanders, defence attachés and commandants representing partner nations, and other General Officers.
