Officers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have graduated with diplomas in the French language following the successful completion of a nine-month course at the Junior Command and Staff College in Jinja.
The graduation ceremony was held at the residence of the French Ambassador to Uganda, Virginie Leroy, in Kampala. She described the course as a reflection of the deepening military cooperation between Uganda and France.
“The French language belongs to those who speak it, who want it, who learn it, and who keep it alive,” she said.
Ambassador Leroy underscored the importance of French in modern military operations, particularly in peacekeeping and multinational deployments where effective communication is essential.
Representing the Joint Staff Human Resource Management, Colonel Emmanuel Muhoozi expressed appreciation to the French Embassy for its continued support, especially in the field of training.
Muhoozi observed that French goes beyond communication, serving as a bridge that strengthens cooperation and enhances operational effectiveness in peacekeeping and multinational engagements. He urged the officers to apply their newly acquired skills to foster stronger international partnerships.
The Defence Attaché of France to Uganda, Lt Col Sebastein Berger, highlighted the shared values between Uganda and France, particularly their commitment to promoting peace and security. He cited ongoing joint efforts, including operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Amon Senkwari described the French language as a vital tool for engagement with other armed forces, especially in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
The ceremony was attended by Defence Attachés from various countries accredited to Uganda.