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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has commended the army for its significant role in promoting security and stability across Africa through professional and strategic training programs.

Speaking during the third graduation ceremony of the National Defence College – Uganda (NDC-U) in Buikwe District, President Museveni congratulated the UPDF for advancing Uganda’s defence capabilities by establishing institutions that previously did not exist.

“I commend the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and UPDF for putting in place a robust physical and human infrastructure for Uganda’s defence, while also contributing to Africa’s security,” President Museveni stated. He emphasized the need to refine training content to thoroughly address the global political economy and avoid ideological and strategic errors that have plagued many African nations.

The President pointed out that misunderstandings around the role of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, private sector participation, and army building have led to persistent instability in several countries. He urged the College to incorporate these concepts more explicitly in their curriculum, stressing that UPDF’s emphasis on these principles has enabled Uganda to maintain internal peace and support regional stability in nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia—even without external funding, apart from support in Somalia.

The graduating cohort comprised 22 individuals who completed the National Security and Strategic Studies Course, including two female officers—Brig. Gen. Charity Bainababo and Col. Betty Wanyera Musuya—and one civilian, Mr. Ronnie Smurts Amoro, a Principal Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA).

President Museveni highlighted the significance of the National Defence College in producing skilled personnel equipped to understand warfare in a broader context, including administration, the economy, politics, and social services.

“Modern warfare requires integration of multiple arms—infantry, air force, armor, communication, reconnaissance. Understanding this concept of combined arms is vital,” he said.

He also noted a growing public interest in regional integration, particularly among traders pushing for improved transport infrastructure to facilitate trade within the East African region.

Brig. Gen. Alex Opolot Olupot, Commandant of NDC-U, confirmed that all graduates had successfully completed the course and passed the first part of their Master’s in Security Strategy, a program jointly conducted with Makerere University under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). He thanked the Ministry of Defence and UPDF leadership for their continued support.

NDC-U currently runs two main programs: the 11-month National Security and Strategic Studies (NSSS) course, and the two-year Master’s of Security Strategy (MASS), fully accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, praised NDC-U’s contribution to strengthening national security, especially in light of complex modern challenges. He highlighted plans to elevate the institution into a National Defence University to consolidate all military training and foster innovation, research, and capacity development.

“The National Defence University will provide advanced courses and expand research in national and regional security matters,” the Minister said. He also revealed ongoing negotiations to expand the college’s premises and mentioned that admission will soon be open to participants from other ministries and agencies.

Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, reiterated the College’s role in shaping senior military and civilian leaders capable of addressing evolving security threats. He praised the President’s vision, which he said had been instrumental in Uganda’s progress.

The Deputy CDF congratulated the graduates and urged them to confront pressing issues like corruption. He also thanked the college leadership and instructors for their dedication.

Top academic honors were awarded to Col. Ronald Mulindwa Nangamba, followed by Col. Henry Okumu Obbo. Civilian graduate Mr. Ronnie Smurts Amoro was recognized for his outstanding research on the intersection of health service delivery and national security, analyzing Uganda’s health sector from 1986 to 2024. Col. Nicholas Humble Nyesiga was also recognized for his work on the African Peace and Security Architecture.

Established by President Museveni on November 14, 2021, the National Defence College-Uganda officially opened on January 28, 2022. The first cohort began studies on January 31, 2022.

The graduation ceremony was attended by key government and military officials, including Minister of State for Defence (Veteran Affairs) Huda Oleru, Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary Rosette Byengoma, and Hon. Diana Mutasingwa, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President and Buikwe District Woman MP, among other senior UPDF officers and commanders.