Eighteen Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers have graduated from a year-long intensive Taekwondo training programme conducted at Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters in South Korea.
The pass-out ceremony for the second intake was held at Onomo Hotel in Kampala, marking another milestone in the UPDF’s drive to strengthen discipline, physical readiness and professional capability within the force.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) Commander, Brig Gen Wycliffe Keita, commended the soldiers for their dedication, endurance and commitment throughout the course.
He said the training equips soldiers with not only martial arts proficiency but also the core values of discipline, respect and perseverance that define the UPDF.
He noted that the newly certified black belts now join a growing cohort of martial arts experts within the force who will be tasked with expanding skills training across units.
“You will be instrumental in cascading your skills to other soldiers, further enhancing the UPDF’s capabilities and contributing to our mission of defending our nation and promoting regional and global peace and security,” Keita said.
He also applauded President Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief, and the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for supporting initiatives that empower soldiers to pursue advanced skills and broaden their professional competencies.
Keita praised the Uganda–Korea partnership, describing it as a model of defence cooperation anchored in mutual respect.
He said South Korea has continued to generously share its technical expertise to bolster the UPDF’s growth.
Speaking at the event, the Defence Attaché of the Republic of Korea to Uganda, Lt Col Kim Seha, hailed the UPDF’s professionalism and commitment to the programme.
He said the Taekwondo course demonstrates the practical value of defence cooperation between the two countries.
“Defence partnerships thrive not only through strategic dialogue but also through hands-on initiatives such as this training, which foster discipline, operational readiness and mutual understanding among forces,” Seha said.
He added that the combined effort of the Korean instructor and the trainees had elevated UPDF Taekwondo training into an important pillar of bilateral defence relations.
Kukkiwon-dispatched Master Kwangjoo Kim congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold the values associated with earning a black belt, which he described as both an honour and a responsibility.
“You are now recognised as Taekwondo black belts. Being a black belt means carrying responsibility and living the true spirit of Taekwondo,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by senior and junior officers from the UPDF Training Department, who celebrated the soldiers’ achievements and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to continuous professional development.
