The Special Forces Command (SFC) and the Uganda Police Force have been lauded for their continued partnership in strengthening Uganda’s security architecture, following the successful pass-out of 125 Presidential Protection Guard (PPG) officers who completed a four-month Tier 2 VVIP protection course at the VIP Training School in Sera-Kasenyi.
Presiding over the ceremony, the SFC Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Paul Namawa, hailed the longstanding cooperation between the two security institutions. He stressed that joint training and coordinated operations remain vital in safeguarding high-profile individuals and responding effectively to the country’s evolving security needs.
“The long-standing cooperation between the PPG and SFC remains essential for safeguarding VIPs and addressing broader security demands,”
Namawa said.
He echoed President Museveni’s guidance on harmonised security efforts, warning against what he termed “blind deployment,” which he said overstretched security personnel and increases operational costs.
Brig Gen Namawa congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold professionalism and the core values of courage, loyalty, consciousness, integrity, and ideological clarity.
The Commandant of the VIP Training School, Maj Samson Mucunguzi, expressed gratitude to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) leadership—particularly Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Maj Gen David Mugisha—for their sustained support. He further thanked the Uganda Police Force for entrusting the school with the training of its officers.
“I commend the instructors for their dedication,” Mucunguzi said, encouraging the graduates to remain disciplined, healthy, and mission-focused.
The Commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group, Col Wilson Bagonza, advised the officers to embody patriotism, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism as guiding principles throughout their careers.
While commending their strong performance in drills, shooting, and martial arts, he urged them to maintain physical fitness and avoid corruption, sectarianism, intrigue, and the lure of complacency.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Simon Okosh applauded the SFC for providing elite, internationally respected training to the graduating officers. He emphasised the importance of discipline and professionalism in their future deployments.
“The partnership involving the UPDF, SFC, and Police is crucial; it’s what continues to elevate our national security standards across the board,” Okosh said.
He also dismissed suggestions that the army had taken over election security operations, clarifying that the Police remains the lead agency, with UPDF support coming strictly under police command.
The graduating officers are now expected to take up roles in VIP protection and other critical national security assignments, further strengthening Uganda's capability to address contemporary security challenges.