President Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), has urged newly passed-out soldiers to uphold discipline, safeguard their health, reject corruption and continuously develop their professional skills, describing these values as the foundation of a successful military career and a stronger Uganda.
"You now need to look after your discipline and your health because if you do not have good health, you cannot be a good soldier. Maintain discipline, take care of your health, avoid corruption and your future will be very bright. You are only beginning your journey," Museveni said.
The President made the remarks while presiding over a hybrid pass-out ceremony for the 18th Intake (2025/2026) of recruits at the UPDF Basic Military Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.
The ceremony, held both physically and virtually, brought together recruits trained at Kaweweta, Ruhengyere and Butyaba training schools.
A total of 11,948 recruits were passed out, including 1,741 from the Central African Republic (CAR), who completed their training alongside their Ugandan counterparts after beginning the programme in September 2025.
Museveni congratulated both the Ugandan and Central African recruits for successfully completing their basic military training.
"First of all, I want to congratulate the soldiers from the Central African Republic and those from Uganda who have completed this course," he said.
He emphasised that discipline alone is not enough, urging the recruits to continuously improve themselves through professional military education and specialised courses.
According to the President, modern soldiers must constantly expand their knowledge and skills to remain effective in protecting their countries.
Museveni also defended the rigorous nature of military training, saying physical endurance is essential in preparing soldiers for the realities of combat.
Recalling the liberation struggle, he said many recruits unfamiliar with demanding physical exercises had complained to their parents after being subjected to crawling through mud, moving through thick bushes and undertaking strenuous drills.
"Some parents would complain, saying in Luganda, 'Muyisa abaana baffe ng'ebisolo,' meaning we were treating their children like animals because we made them roll in the mud," he said.
"But all that is necessary. You need a lot of physical exercise so that you are in good shape when you go to the battlefield. If you do not sharpen soldiers enough, then you become their enemy and the enemy of the country because they will fail to defend it and they will also die."
The President reminded the recruits that the UPDF had entered what he described as a new phase requiring greater commitment, hard work and accountability.
"As you have been hearing, even Gen. Muhoozi has told you that this is Kisanja Hakuna Kulala (No More Sleep). We have made many achievements, but we could have achieved even more if some of our people had not become complacent," Museveni said.
"Therefore, discipline and accountability will continue to be insisted upon, just as you have heard from the Chief of Defence Forces."
He stressed that national security is inseparable from economic transformation, noting that no country can sustain a strong military without a strong and modern economy.
Museveni identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and services as the four key sectors driving Uganda's economic transformation.
"You cannot have a strong army without a strong economy. Anything that undermines the economy also undermines national security," he said.
The President added that Uganda must continue modernising its defence capabilities by developing the capacity to manufacture its own weapons.
"We shall also have to start producing our own weapons so that we are ready to stand on our own."
Museveni commended Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the UPDF leadership for improving soldiers' welfare and infrastructure across military establishments.
He acknowledged the poor state of the Katugo–Kaweweta road and pledged that the government would prioritise its rehabilitation alongside the Ngoma–Butalangwa–Masindi road.
"I congratulate the Chief of Defence Forces and his team on the improvements in soldiers' welfare and infrastructure. The road from Katugo to this training school has been a challenge for a long time. We shall fix it. We shall also work on the Ngoma–Butalangwa–Masindi road," he said.
Turning to wananchi, Museveni called on Ugandans to elect honest leaders during the forthcoming Local Council I and Women's Council elections.
"Elect leaders who will help you fight corruption. You need leaders near you who can help fight corruption. Therefore, elect leaders who are not corrupt," he said.
Museveni later formally declared the recruits qualified and passed them into the Uganda People's Defence Forces.
"It is now my honour and pleasure, as President and Commander-in-Chief, to pass out these recruits."
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba thanked God for guiding the UPDF through the first half of the year and expressed gratitude to Museveni for presiding over the ceremony.
He congratulated the newly passed-out recruits for choosing military service.
"The decision to join military service is a lifelong commitment to defending your country. I thank every recruit for making that bold and patriotic decision," Gen. Muhoozi said.
He commended the training schools for producing soldiers equipped with the skills, discipline and values required for active military service.
"It is evident that these young men and women have mastered the required military skills and are now ready to undertake active duty in service of the motherland," he said.
Gen. Muhoozi also congratulated Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on what he described as successful electoral victories.
He paid tribute to former Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Jacob Oboth Oboth for his contribution to improving soldiers' welfare and supporting reforms in the defence sector, including the enactment of the amended UPDF Act.
"We salute his contribution and are confident that in his new responsibility as Speaker of Parliament, he will continue supporting the Ministry of Defence and the UPDF," he said.
The CDF said Uganda remained peaceful, stable and secure, attributing this to the professionalism of the UPDF and other security agencies.
However, he warned against what he described as foreign-sponsored elements working against Uganda's national interests.
"We are aware of the negative elements working against our country. We shall never allow foreign interests to determine Uganda's future or demoralise our patriotic forces. We cannot tolerate poor service delivery, nor shall we tolerate foreign agents operating secretly to undermine our country," he said.
Gen. Muhoozi reaffirmed the UPDF's commitment to defending Uganda's sovereignty and protecting the gains achieved over the years.
He also highlighted improvements in soldiers' welfare, including better accommodation, improved remuneration and continued investment in military schools and health facilities.
"We want our fighting men and women to be proud of the conditions under which they serve. Improving welfare remains one of our priorities," he said.
He urged the newly graduated soldiers to maintain discipline, protect their health and remain physically fit throughout their military careers.
"Protect your lives, maintain your medical and physical fitness, cultivate the warrior spirit and remain disciplined at all times. Those values will enable you to accomplish every mission entrusted to you."
Gen. Muhoozi paid tribute to UPDF troops serving under regional and international peace support operations in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, praising their professionalism and sacrifice.
He noted that despite the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo, UPDF troops had continued operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), while the security situation in South Sudan had improved significantly.
Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence) Grace Ngabirano Akifeza described the ceremony as a defining milestone in the recruits' lives after months of demanding training.
"This is not an ordinary day. It marks your transformation from civilian life into military life. You leave here today as resilient young men and women who are now prepared to defend Uganda's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said.
She congratulated both the Ugandan and Central African recruits and urged them to uphold patriotism, loyalty and selfless service.
"I congratulate all of you for realising your dream of becoming soldiers. When I was young, I also wished to become a Kadogo, but I never got that opportunity. You have been given that privilege, and I urge you to serve your country with honour and dedication," she said.
The Commandant of the UPDF Basic Military Training School, Kaweweta, Brig. Gen. John Patrick Otongo, said the pass-out ceremony marked the transformation of ordinary young men and women into disciplined soldiers ready to defend the country.
"We are gathered here not only to mark the completion of a course but to honour the resilience, sacrifice and commitment of these recruits. Their journey has been one of self-doubt, endurance and determination, but it is through those hardships that they have forged the strength required of professional soldiers," Brig. Gen. Otongo said.
He noted that the recruits had undergone demanding physical exercises, military drills and ideological orientation that equipped them with teamwork, leadership, patriotism and selfless service.
Outstanding recruits were recognised during the ceremony, with Salwa Amanya emerging as the best overall recruit. Other top performers included Tasi Chrispas, Opoka Richard, Nashemeza Michelle and Frank Loko.