Share this article

President Museveni addressed officer cadets in Kabamba emphasizing patriotism, continuous learning, and good health for the armed forces. He mentioned UPDF’s modernization and expansion, promising better to pay for veterans.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF)continues to encourage members of the army to emphasize patriotism, keep themselves healthy and continuous learning to seek for knowledge while executing their duties.

In addition to taking additional classes, Gen. Museveni advises commanders to read more, noting that the National Resistance Army (NRA)’s members gained expertise by regular reading throughout their time there.

I understand you invest a lot of time in social media. Are you conversing with intelligent people or are you trading ignorance? You’ll get far if you consider those three things seriously, H.E. Museveni stated.

The President was addressing today during the commissioning of 295 officer cadets from the UPDF Land and Air forces, intake 06 of the 2023 short and three-year cadet course intake 02/2022-2023, at Uganda Military Academy Kabamba in the Mubende district.

“I congratulate you on finishing the course and I wish you prosperous careers where you’re heading,” the President said, adding that the UPDF has now covered many aspects of national defense and now working on strengthening their presence in the space and more effort in consolidating the marine forces to cater for many parts of Uganda covered by fresh waters.

“Other than that, the force is becoming increasingly comprehensive in terms of its ability to counteract all threats. When we launch our satellite, it will complement what we already have since it offers your eyes in the sky. We have some eyes there, but the satellite will give us more,” H.E. Museveni continued.

The Commander in Chief added that young people are fortunate to join a military that is advanced in comparison to the pioneers (abatembuzi), who lacked modern amenities.

“Land troops, including soldiers, artillery, armored vehicles, and an air force, have all advanced. Your future is therefore bright because you are now a member of this kind of force. I’m overjoyed and want to congratulate everyone. H.E Museveni told officer cadets while reassuring them that even the issue of pay is now being addressed.

“Before the Generals retired, we came to the conclusion that it is improper for our stalwart troops to retire with insufficient support. Because of our insistence, the government granted us the funds, and starting with the level of Major and moving higher, the pay and retirement benefits have improved. Members of the UPDF should therefore find it simpler to serve their country in the military forces, President Museveni promised the audience.

His Excellency, the President also thanked the parents for allowing their kids to join the elite UPDF, but he also advised them against pestering their soldiers with requests for money.

He urged the parents to use the shs100 million allocated to each parish under the Parish Development Model (PDM) as well as to use the four-acre model of farming in their own homes to create wealth and combat poverty.

We insist that all the parents get up so that you won’t strain these young officers. After they graduate, you start pestering them for money rather than assisting them. Why? since the parents are not utilizing resources to escape poverty. Because of Uganda’s favorable climate, being poor is not honorable, General Museveni underscored.

Officer cadets were exhorted by Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja to cooperate more closely to counteract all national security threats.

Hon Ssempijja remarked, “I encourage you to make the most of your service here wherever you will be required.”

Four of the pupils, according to the Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, graduated from military academies in Kenya, Jamaica, and Sandhurst.

Gen. Mbadi applauded President Museveni for his strategic and visionary leadership that has led to the UPDF grow into a professional, effective, efficient and accountable force that is anchored on strong civil military relationship, Nationalism, Patriotism, Pan Africanism and ideological awareness to achieve its missions as enshrined in article 209 of the constitution of the republic of Uganda in order to create an environment that is conducive to achieving social economic transformation.

He also told the President that efforts are being made to make Uganda Military Academy a center of excellence for cadet training, not only for Uganda but also for partner governments in the region.

According to the East African Community defense and cooperation agreements, one of the obligations, for Uganda Military Academy, was to implement a three-year cadet graduate programme in line with partner state academies.

He urged the cadets to be aware of the security issues the nations in the region confront, such as cyber threats, terrorism, transnational threats, and insurgency, among others.

“Therefore, you must be ready to effectively be part of the solution to these challenges. For this purpose, the officer cadet training that you have completed prepared you to be better defenders of peace and security within the country and the region against any negative forces,” Gen. Mbadi told the officers.

He further called upon cadets to observe ideological consciousness and discipline which is the foundation of UPDF, loyalty and integrity which brings honesty and truthfulness.

According to Col. Wycliff Keita, Commandant of Uganda Military Academy Kabamba, out of the 295 officer cadets and 32 female cadets, 236 cadets are selected from the UPDF’s specialized departments of medicine, ICT, engineering, the air force, education, finance, legal services, and procurement, among others. These cadets are said to represent the caliber of the young generation of citizens who are making the patriotic decision to serve their country in the UPDF.

Four postgraduates, 129 graduates, and 103 diploma holders make up the professional cohort, some of them are from Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania.

In addition to receiving training in military knowledge and skills, they were also exposed to political economy and the symbiotic relationship between our duties and the larger social, economic, informational, and diplomatic domains of state power. As a result, they have joined the ongoing battle to find innovative and intelligent ways to adopt to keep the Uganda People’s Defence Forces on the cutting edge, according to Col. Keita.

In addition, Col. Keita emphasized his belief that the officers, having successfully finished a variety of officer cadet training, have been philosophically fostered to love and serve their country and Africa, noting that they are highly competent, patriotic, and willing to serve.

“You’re still young, we encourage you to stay fit, healthy and embrace learning. Do not forget our core values of discipline, royalty, duty and honour as you follow the footsteps of many of our heroes that span different phases our country has traversed to achieve the current peace, stability and respect,” the commandant told officers, reminding them of their mission to guard freedom and protect Uganda from harm.

You’ll be carrying the nation’s hopes on your shoulders moving ahead. Fight valiantly and honorably to protect our nation that we adore, he continued.

The top officer cadets in each class, in the field, in conduct, and in leadership were recognized during the same ceremony. Additionally, they swore an oath of loyalty and secrecy to uphold and protect the Constitution as well as the Sovereign State of Uganda.

The vibrant celebration was highlighted by a slow-and-fast dance competition conducted by Col. W. Moses Ssentongo, UPDF’s Director of Music.

Senior UPDF commanders, Mubende District leaders, the Minister of State for Defense and Veteran Affairs responsible for veterans, Hon. Oleru Huda, Service chiefs, Defense Attaches and Defense representatives from South Sudan, Rwanda and Kenya and others attended the ceremony.