Empowering Legal Excellence: UPDF Legal Training Centre Graduates 29 Soldiers

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) Legal Training Centre (LTC) at Gadaffi Barracks in Jinja District has once again demonstrated its commitment to empowering legal excellence with the graduation of 29 UPDF soldiers from the Advanced Brigade Legal Officers Course (ABLOC).

 

The four-week training, which concluded today, was officiated by Brig Gen Prof. Godard Busingye, Joint Staff Legal Services (JS LS) in the UPDF.

 

Brig Gen Busingye emphasised the importance of training in broadening knowledge and building capacity as professionals. “This is Knowledge enhancement and as lawyers continue broadening your knowledge and attending to more academic programs both in and abroad whenever the opportunity prevails, this will develop you to not only a lawyer but also a professional soldier.”

 

The Commandant of the LTC, Lt Col Suzan Mwanga, noted that this was Intake 10 of ABLOC, comprising young and vibrant soldiers who are lawyers drawn from different UPDF units. She urged them to take pride in serving the UPDF and reminded them that their primary responsibility was to defend Uganda, with all else secondary. “You are lawyers but you must understand that you are soldiers mandated to serve Uganda with discipline. Advise the commander appropriately to be able to rise through the ranks and make an impact,” said Lt Col Mwanga. She expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for their relentless support.

 

Lt Col Arthur Lantino, an international expert in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) from the Netherlands Armed Forces, praised the partnership and pledged continued support to LTC in building capacity. He advised graduands to present legal advice with arguments rather than feelings, achievable through extensive reading.

 

The top performers were Pte Komuhendo Irene (best overall student), Pte Mandela William (best in class), and Pte Muhwezi Isaac (best leadership skills).

 

The LTC, a beacon of legal training, has established itself as a centre of excellence, with a sustainable partnership between UPDF and Netherlands Forces since 2015. This partnership has enabled the smooth running of courses, building capacity and enhancing knowledge.

 

The ceremony was attended by heads of department from Jinja Cantonment and staff officers from LTC.