President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has commissioned 203 officer cadets at the Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba.
In his address, President Museveni congratulated the newly commissioned cadets and highlighted the diversity within the group.
“There are three types of cadets here today. Some completed their officer cadet course alongside a degree at Makerere University, others completed the course without a degree, and the third group comprises professionals like engineers, doctors, and lawyers. These professionals undergo training to acclimatize to military life before earning their ranks,” he said.
The President reflected on the historical transformation of Uganda’s military, emphasizing the importance of having an educated and technically skilled army.
“In the past regimes, the army was largely composed of illiterate individuals, which was dangerous for the country. We insisted on recruiting educated people, which has allowed us to build a modern force capable of handling the complexities of contemporary warfare,” Museveni noted.
He praised Uganda for having an educated military that can absorb modern ideas and adapt to technical advancements necessary for modern warfare.
Museveni also lauded the Ministry of Defence and UPDF commanders, led by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), for turning training institutions like Kabamba into centers of excellence.
“I’ve seen the master plan, and Kabamba will soon become a real center of excellence in terms of accommodation and training facilities,” he said.
Addressing the officer cadets, the President encouraged them to maintain discipline and uphold their health.
“Stay away from prostitution, alcoholism, and other distractions that can ruin your health. Ensure you remain fit to serve,” he advised.
Museveni also stressed the importance of integrity, warning the newly commissioned officers against corruption.
He urged them to leverage the existing welfare programs such as army schools for soldiers’ children, free housing, medical care, and Wazalendo SACCO, which provides financial support for personal development.
“Even when we were receiving low salaries, we had avenues to progress without resorting to corruption. Now that salaries are improving, there’s even less reason to engage in corrupt practices,” he added.
The President further encouraged the Uganda Military Academy to lead by example in agriculture by adopting irrigation techniques to increase production in the region.
The president awarded top-performing cadets, with the top honour going to Mr. John Muhenda, who holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery. Muhenda was praised for his outstanding performance across all aspects of the training program.
The Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veteran Affairs, Hon. Huda Oleru, congratulated the officer cadets on completing their rigorous training, describing it as the culmination of hard work and perseverance.
“Your graduation marks the end of a challenging journey but also the beginning of a new chapter in your military career. You have every right to be proud,” she remarked.
Oleru also acknowledged President Museveni’s unwavering support in transforming the UPDF into a professional force.
Deputy CDF Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding commended Kabamba Military Academy’s progress as part of President Museveni’s broader strategy to strengthen Uganda’s military capacity.
“Kabamba is one of the areas you guided us to develop as a center of excellence. We have already made significant progress with the master plan and are now moving to phase two to complete the transformation,” he reported.
Brig. Gen. Wycliff Keita, Commandant of the Uganda Military Academy-Kabamba, revealed that the 203 officer cadets included professional cadets from Intake 7 and those enrolled in the Bachelor of Defence Studies program under Intake 3. The cohort also featured officer cadets who trained at international military institutions, including Kenya, India, and the United Kingdom.
“This group reflects the spirit of regional cooperation, with one officer cadet from Rwanda and nine from South Sudan. They’ve demonstrated unwavering dedication, discipline, and excellence throughout their training, and we’re confident they will serve their countries with distinction,” Brig. Gen. Keita assured.
