The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, has challenged senior military officers to move beyond conventional combat roles and develop the strategic mindset required to address today’s increasingly complex security threats.
Lt Gen Okiding made the remarks while presiding over the closing ceremony of the five-day Strategic Exercise (STRATEX 26) for Intake 04 participants at the National Defence College–Uganda, which serves as the final practical assessment of the officers’ one-year academic programme.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy CDF said modern military leadership demands far more than battlefield competence.
“Today’s strategic environment demands leaders who can think beyond conventional military operations,” Lt Gen Okiding said.
He urged officers to embrace strategic leadership and prepare to address national, regional, and global security challenges.
“You are not just gun shooters; you are strategic leaders capable of understanding, participating in, and responding to increasingly complex national, regional, and global security challenges.”
Lt Gen Okiding noted that the National Defence College was established to develop leaders capable of making informed strategic decisions in an unpredictable security environment.
“The National Defence College was established to prepare strategic leaders,” he said.
He also commended the college leadership, diplomats, and mentors for creating a rigorous learning environment that equips officers with the knowledge and skills required by national security institutions.
The Commandant of the National Defence College–Uganda, Brig Gen Alex Olupot, said STRATEX 26 enabled participants to sharpen their critical thinking, policy formulation, and decision-making skills while appreciating the need for inter-agency cooperation in addressing security challenges.
“Over the five days, our participants have engaged in rigorous strategic analysis to develop the capacity for critical thinking, policy formulation, and decision-making,” Brig Gen Olupot said.
The Dean of Studies and Exercise Director, Brig Gen Kefa Nangeso, described the exercise as the final classroom assessment of the one-year course, allowing participants to apply strategic concepts learned throughout the programme.
He said the exercise focused on balancing the key instruments of national power—diplomatic, informational, military, and economic—to develop effective national security strategies.
“The exercise highlighted the interconnectedness of global events and resource limitations. Participants practised strategic communication, drafted national security strategies, and analysed how resources must be prioritised across competing strategic needs,” Brig Gen Nangeso said.
Representing the team of senior mentors and diplomats, Ambassador Mull Katende emphasized the close relationship between diplomacy and defence.
“Our interaction demonstrates that defence and diplomacy are fundamentally interrelated and mutually supportive. We encourage you to continue growing in diplomacy as military officers,” Ambassador Katende said.
Exercise Sponsor Ephraim Mugume said the programme consolidated lessons learned throughout the year and strengthened participants’ practical skills in strategic analysis and strategy formulation.
With the successful completion of STRATEX 26, Intake 04 participants are now set to graduate, adding a new cohort of strategic leaders to support Uganda’s national, regional, and global security interests.
