President Museveni has commissioned 203 new officers into the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) during a ceremony at the Uganda Military Academy Kabamba (UMAK) Cantonment in Mubende District.
The graduates, who completed the officer cadet courses for Intake 07/24 and Intake 03/21-24, were hailed for their commitment to professionalism and education in the military.
Museveni lauded the UPDF's continued focus on professional development, emphasising the growing importance of education in modern warfare. “A modern army requires more than just strength; it requires knowledge,” Museveni stated.
He applauded Uganda’s military for its educational transformation, noting the importance of modern combat strategies which demand technical expertise and educated personnel.
He also praised the UPDF for its evolving training infrastructure, highlighting plans to enhance Kabamba's facilities. He mentioned that in the future, the academy would require at least an O-level education for allied forces and an A-level qualification for Ugandan non-professionals wishing to join the academy.
President Museveni also turned his attention to the country’s agricultural sector, urging the new officers and local farmers to prioritise large-scale, irrigated farming.
He emphasised the need for crop diversification, suggesting cotton as a key focus, while encouraging small-scale farmers to engage in poultry and fish farming as a means to address poverty.
The President stressed the importance of discipline and focus for the new officers, urging them to stay healthy, avoid negative distractions, and refrain from corrupt practices.
He also suggested they support their financial well-being by enrolling their children in army schools and engaging in productive activities through the Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO).
Huda Abadon Oleru, Uganda’s Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs, expressed gratitude for the President’s leadership, which has played a pivotal role in strengthening the army's professionalism. Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, emphasized the significance of discipline and quoted a biblical verse to remind the new officers of their duties.
Brig Gen Wycliffe Keita, Commandant of UMAK, urged the officers to balance hard and soft skills while honouring the legacy of their predecessors.
He also noted the participation of allied cadets from Rwanda and South Sudan, which reinforced regional cooperation in defence.
Top-performing students were recognised, with awards presented to John Muhenda (Best Overall), Andrew Tibyasa (Best in Field), Evans Atwine (Best Academics), and Samuel Ishimwe of Rwanda (Best Allied Student).
In total, 128 officers from Intake 7 and 71 from Intake 3 were commissioned to the ranks of Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant. Many of the officers also hold academic degrees in fields such as engineering and medicine.
