Forty-seven officers, including 11 women and four from Rwanda, together with 53 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) on the Basic Arms Management Course, have graduated from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) College of Logistics and Engineering (COLE) in Magamaga.
The Logistics Staff Course and Basic Arms Management Course began on 8 May 2025 and concluded after four months and one week.
Brigadier General Kefa Nangeso, Dean of Studies at the National Defence College – Uganda, represented Chief of Joint Staff Lieutenant General Jack Agonza Bakasumba as the guest of honour. He hailed the occasion as an important milestone for COLE and the UPDF, celebrating the passing out of Logistics Staff Course Intake 09/25 and Basic Arms Management Course 04/25.
Congratulating the graduates, Brig Gen Nangeso noted that the UPDF is now a professional army that requires every member to perform their role with excellence. He encouraged them to train and mentor colleagues to enhance efficiency and simplify their work. He also expressed delight at the practical demonstrations staged during the ceremony.
Rwanda Defence Attaché to Uganda Colonel Emmanuel Ruzindana voiced his appreciation for the opportunity to attend, thanking UPDF leadership for extending training to Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) personnel. “This college has so far trained 31 officers, and this couldn’t have happened without the strong ties between the two armed forces,” Col Ruzindana said, commending COLE’s commandant and staff. He asked that gratitude be conveyed to the UPDF leadership for supporting RDF professional development and pledged continued military cooperation.
Commandant of COLE Colonel Chris Kyanku outlined the aim of the programmes: to develop combat-oriented logistics officers capable of sustaining forces in peace and war at brigade and division levels, while equipping students with arms and ammunition management skills to meet operational demands. He highlighted the emphasis on analytical thinking, professional logistics expertise and the fundamentals of sustainment in defence.
Top performers were recognised, with Captain Pius Katumuhimbise Mutatiina named overall best student, Lieutenant Eunice Nandudu awarded best academic performer, and Lieutenant Richard Iradukunda of the RDF honoured as best allied student.
