President Yoweri Museveni has told newly commissioned officers that they have joined an honourable institution, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), and thanked the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for fighting corruption and improving soldiers’ welfare. The President said he had been following the work of the CDF and his commanders in fighting corruption and ensuring the welfare of soldiers.
Speaking at the Uganda Military Academy, Kabamba, while officiating at the graduation and commissioning of 280 officer cadets, comprising 87 graduates from the three-year Bachelor of Defence Studies programme and 193 professional cadets, who already held bachelor’s degrees before enrolling, the President congratulated the officers and their families on reaching a significant milestone in their military careers.
The graduating cohort included officers from allied countries, namely Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
President Museveni used the occasion to advise the new officers that a robust national defence is fundamentally anchored on a strong economy, wealth creation and a strong bond between the armed forces and the civilian population.
Recounting a recent strategic discussion with African defence chiefs, he said a strong national defence relies on multiple interlinked factors, chief among them a thriving economic foundation that sustains a strong military. He tasked military leadership with actively protecting wealth creators across agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT to ensure continued economic growth, and advised the graduates that continuous training and advancement in science and technology are key to ensuring a strong military.
On grassroots security, the President pointed to petty crime, domestic interference in enterprise and livestock theft as continuing disruptions to rural households, stressing that such criminal activities must be decisively combated to protect families and local development. Turning to civil-military relations, the President underscored that the strength of the army depends heavily on its relationship with the people, reminding the officers that the army must operate like fish in water, maintaining a symbiotic and protective relationship with the citizenry.
At the same ceremony, Gen Kainerugaba, who was accompanied by his wife, Charlotte, warned against isolated cases of criminals waylaying, robbing and raping residents, declaring that security agencies will not tolerate criminal elements terrorising communities.
He noted that while regional peace and stabilisation missions in the DRC, South Sudan and Somalia remain robust and effective, domestic security has faced an emerging challenge in some parts of the country, which he vowed to deal with.
The CDF said criminal networks have used crude weapons and guns to commit robberies, killings and sexual violence.
“This will not be tolerated,” the CDF asserted, emphasizing that security agencies under the joint inter-agency framework are actively synchronising intelligence and operational efforts. He noted that no effort will be spared until the sanctity and the right to life and property is fully restored for all Ugandans.
Meanwhile, Gen Kainerugaba thanked the President for coming to preside over the ceremony and for his continued leadership and guidance. He said the UPDF remains anchored on uncompromised discipline, institutional loyalty and comprehensive ideological education, and pointed to improvements in soldier and officer welfare, including better pay, upgraded accommodation, advanced logistics, improved health services and educational provisions.
The CDF urged the graduates to report to their assigned units to gain hands-on experience, calling their choice to serve Uganda “the highest expression of patriotic calling.”
The ceremony also highlighted that six Ugandan officers completed officer cadet courses abroad, including Ruhamya Kainerugaba and Bakira Andrew in the United Kingdom and four others in India. They were commissioned alongside their colleagues by the President.
In his remarks, Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka expressed appreciation for the President’s commitment to national defence, military excellence and UPDF professionalisation, and commended the CDF and leadership for improving welfare and fighting corruption.
Academy Commandant Brig. Gen. Saad Katemba highlighted the rigorous preparation, discipline and milestones achieved by the graduating cohort. He thanked the President and the UPDF leadership for providing an enabling environment for the training.
The graduation was also attended by Edith Butuuro, Undersecretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Defence; Commander Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi; Chief of Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Jack Bakasumba; and Chief of Training and Doctrine Maj. Gen. Wyclieff Keita, among other senior UPDF officials and government leaders. Representatives from Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania were also present.
