UPDF Mountain Division has formally absorbed 298 former local defence volunteers into its official ranks, following months of intensive military training at the Mountain Warfare Training School (MWTS) in Ntoroko District.
The pass-out ceremony, held amidst jubilation from families and senior army officials, marked a significant milestone for the recruits many of whom were once civilian volunteers defending their communities against ADF terrorists in 2023.
Presiding over the event, Brigadier General Paul Muwonge, Deputy Commander of the Mountain Division, hailed the bravery and grassroots heroism that brought the recruits to this point.
“These men and women were already heroes in their villages long before they came here. Their bravery laid the foundation for today’s achievement,” Brig Gen Muwonge said.
He reflected on the role these volunteers played during critical security operations in the Tooro sub-region, particularly in Kasese, Kamwenge, and Bunyangabu, where Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgents had tried to gain a foothold.
Now part of the professional force, the recruits are stepping into a UPDF undergoing continued transformation under the leadership of President and Commander-in-Chief Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“It is through this leadership that operations like Shujaa were born, operations that seek to neutralise threats from afar to prevent incursions like those of the ADF,” Brig Gen Muwonge noted.
Muwonge urged the fresh soldiers to uphold the values of discipline, service, and ideological clarity, which he said define the UPDF’s identity.
“UPDF is a protector of the people and a symbol of hope. You’re joining a strong team. Just add your bricks as we build Uganda together,” he charged.
He also recognized the contributions of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, particularly in enhancing professionalism and prioritizing soldier welfare across the institution.
Col Jedidiah Kiyengo, the Commandant of MWTS, used the occasion to remind the graduates that their training had instilled more than just physical endurance.
“These movements reflect unity, cohesion, and a shared mission,” he said, adding that true discipline extends to “self-control, accountability, and striving for excellence.”
Ntoroko RDC Mzee Silus, who was also present, praised the cohesion that emerged during training and warned against illegal encroachment on army land.
“They came as individuals, but are leaving as a bonded family ready to serve the nation,” Silus said.
