UMA, KABAMBA, is the UPDF Officer initial training centre. At UMA, UPDF officers are trained to take on the responsibilities of leading soldiers. Most UPDF officers, including late entry officers, who were previously non commissioned officers (NCOS), as well as some officers from Allied countries, in Africa, are trained at UMA.
About The School
Mission
To produce Junior Military leaders who are Robust, Courageous, Honourable, Patriotic, Politically conscious, Informed and well grounded for further professional development.
Leadership
BRIG GEN CHARLES BYARUHANGA
Commandant UMA KABAMBA
Course Modules
Officer Cadet Course
The commissioning course is the first stage of officer training and education. Its main purpose is to develop an officer with the generic leadership qualities to lead soldiers both on and off operations. UMA develops leadership in cadets by expanding their character, intellect and professional competences to a level demanded of an army officer on first appointment through military training and education. The core objectives reflected the three key elements in the training and education of young officers: the Moral,the intellectual and the physical
Platoon Commanders Course(PCC)
An infantry platoon commander leads soldiers on operations and maintains the platoon’s effectiveness as a fighting unit. He/she commands a rifle platoon of up to 45 soldiers within an infantry battalion, with the help of experience NCO, although the responsibility for its operational effectiveness rests with him/her. There is therefore, the need for majority and sense of responsibility necessary for a role in which soldiers well being can depend on the out come of his/her decisions.
As part of a larger unit an ability to take orders is essential, but the platoon commander must also be able to act on his/her own initiative if the situation calls for it. In addition, he/she is expected to take an active interest in the welfare of the soldiers and the development of their carriers and will resolve any disciplinary problems within the platoon.
All officers are therefore, expected to master the same basic military skills and tactics as the soldiers they command. This will include drill, basic field craft, map reading, first aid and how to fire and maintain ones personal weapon. In addition to these soldiering skills, one must also learn the skills pertinent to being an infantry officer, and how to command soldiers in the field and barracks through a series on different indoor and field exercises.
Officers Basic Course(OBC)
Officer Basic Course (OBC) is an infantry course designed for officers who commissioned without undergoing the cadet or any commissioning course. It is now a requirement that all officers in this category must attend this course in order to earn a promotion or prior to their retirement to army. There is no limit on the rank, appointment or age of one in order to attend the course apart from having earned a commission before undergoing a commissioning course.
This course is designed to formally introduce the UPDF infantry doctrine to officers who previously commissioned prior attending any formal officers course. The course is almost an abridged cadet package; it however takes into account the fact that the participants all have operational and/or staff experience.