Graduate officers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have been urged to uphold the values of discipline, patriotism, and integrity as they begin their service in various security institutions.
The call was made by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF), Lt Gen Sam Okiding, during the pass-out ceremony at the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan-Africanism Centre of Excellence (ORTSL-PACEX) in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.
A total of 337 students graduated, including 263 from the Joint Basic Cadre Development Course and 74 from the Advanced Psychosocial Support Course.
Lt Gen Okiding praised President Museveni, for transforming the school from a bush training area in the 1980s into a leading centre of leadership and ideological development.
He also conveyed greetings from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and commended the instructors and support staff for maintaining high training standards despite operational challenges.
“A soldier or commander without ideological orientation is a lost person and a potential danger to society,” Lt Gen Okiding said.
“Ideological grounding enables leaders to make correct decisions and remain committed to national interests,” he added.
He noted that military training prepares personnel for both peace and wartime responsibilities and urged graduates to uphold spiritual growth, personal discipline, and moral integrity while avoiding corruption, drug abuse, and other destructive behaviours.
Graduates of the Advanced Psychosocial Support Course were highlighted as a key addition to the security forces’ health services. Lt Gen Okiding said psychosocial support is vital in addressing operational stress, trauma, and battle fatigue among deployed personnel.
Brig Gen Wycliffe Keita of Joint Staff Training and Doctrine (JS-TRADOC) emphasised that joint training strengthens unity among security agencies and equips graduates with leadership and service values.
Brig Gen Justus Rukundo, Commandant of ORTSL-PACEX, said all graduates qualified for deployment as political commissars or psychosocial officers in the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Service.
As part of training, graduates visited Nyakashagazi Farm in Nakaseke District to observe practical examples of socio-economic transformation and innovation in agriculture.
Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, Director of Ideological Development, described the course as producing cadres who are ideologically conscious, politically alert, and capable of guiding others in service of the nation.
Col Kiiza Birungi added that graduates are agents of change, responsible for promoting patriotism, unity, and national development.
Graduates were reminded to remain ambassadors of professionalism, patriotism, and transformational leadership. Among the 337 graduates, 12 were female participants.
The event was attended by general officers, UPDF senior and junior officers, representatives from the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, militants, and local leaders.
