In a bid to strengthen Uganda’s tourism sector, 53 finalist students from the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) have successfully completed a three-week paramilitary training course at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA), Gaddafi Barracks.
The trainees, comprising 22 females and 31 males, were passed out on Friday, August 15, after undergoing intensive drills in firearm handling and maintenance, map reading, martial arts, target shooting, man-to-man combat, and political education. The course is part of UHTTI’s curriculum for students pursuing certificates in Tour Guiding and diplomas in Tourism Management.
The Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime, in remarks delivered by ministry director Dr. Basil Ajer, commended the partnership between UHTTI and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). He said the training not only equips trainees with survival and defense skills but also instills discipline and patriotism.
“I commend the UPDF and NCOA in particular for this strategic partnership with the institute. It equips students with practical military skills while also nurturing patriotism through exposure to military discipline,” Butime said.
UHTTI Principal Richard Kawere lauded the government and UPDF for enabling the program, noting that it aligns the institute’s graduates with the demands of the labor market.
“We are responsive to industry needs, and this training helps our students become all-round professionals ready to contribute positively to the sector,” Kawere said.
Brig. Gen. Michael Ssesanga, the NCOA Commandant, emphasized that the graduates had been prepared to protect tourists and Uganda’s tourism resources. His remarks, read by Chief Instructor Maj. Amos Akankwasa, urged the trainees to apply their resilience beyond the training field.
“You have proved to be warriors of service capable of carrying a tray in one hand and a team on the other. As you walk into a boardroom, service lobby, or hotel, remember you have gone through tougher experiences here,” Ssesanga said.
Sam Buluboine, Head of UHTTI’s Tourism Department, said the training is designed to produce versatile tourism professionals capable of working in both civilian and challenging field environments.
The collaboration between UHTTI and UPDF is regarded as a model of strategic partnership that enhances the capacity of Uganda’s tourism workforce while strengthening the country’s competitiveness as a destination.
