The Vice President Jessica Alupo has hailed President Museveni for his able leadership and endless efforts that have ensured the transformation of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) into a modern and professional army.
“I would to extend my appreciation to president Museveni who is also the Commander In Chief of the armed forces for fully professionalizing the armed forces of Uganda which include; the UPDF, Police Force and the Uganda Prisons Services among others,” Alupo said.
She made the remarks during a farewell party of over 500 UPDF officers due to complete an eight months training at the School of Artillery and Air defence-Olilim, Katakwi district in Eastern Uganda today. August 07, 2025.
Training in artillery and air defense involves developing specialized skills to operate and maintain weapon systems, detect and track targets, and engage threats in both ground and air environments. This training is crucial for protecting military units and other critical facilities from aerial attacks.
The vice president extended her gratitude to the president for establishing various army training institutions in the country and highlighted some of the characteristics of a professional army which include; team work, adherence to the Law of the Land (Constitution and UPDF ACT), patriotism (ideological clarity) and conducting continuous training among other characteristics.
“Today when you meet the teams from air defence and artillery, Infantry, military intelligence, and marine all of them consider themselves as one strong team and they know that their roles and responsibilities are inter-connected,” the vice president said.
She asked the trainees to continue recognizing the aspect of teamwork while in their units as they serve the same role but with different specialties adding that each and every one is equally important.
Alupo asked the trainees to always remember that their profession has a bearing on adherence to the law of the land and urged them to continue training.
She argued that continuous training is not a punishment but rather a discipline in itself which helps you to standout and execute your roles with competence and accuracy.
The vice president who is also the Woman MP for Katakwi district and NRM Flag Bearer in forthcoming general elections asked the trainees to be patriotic with clear ideological clarity as one of the characteristics of a professional army.
She urged the trainees to look at the history of Uganda, by considering what transpired before, because the civilian population are looking at the army as a very strong institution that will guarantee political, economic stability, peace and security as the country moves into the upper middle income status.
The retired Major encouraged the trainees to always work with our brothers in the great Lakes region by extending some of our products to the region which has about 500b people and to the African market which boosts of 1.4 billion people.
She thanked the UPDF for supporting our brothers and sisters in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Democratic Republic of Congo; that’s Pan-Africanism which is helping us as Africa to secure our future.
The 3rd Division Commander Maj. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuuma thanked the trainees for their resilience during training and called upon them to be patriotic because the machines they intend to handle are very expensive to the tune of Sh1b each.
He also urged them to maintain peace, security and unity as the country counts down to the general polls.
Vincent Savior Okwii, the deputy RDC Katakwi appreciated the existing cordial relation and coordination between the Uganda people’s defence forces and the district leadership including the civilians (Wanainchi)…
The commandant of the School Lt. Col. James Otowa Ebelin assured Ugandans that this eight months training where they emphasized maximum discipline and endurance, the trainees are very ready to protect our country. He listed accommodation and lack of health facilities among the challenges faced by the school.
