President Yoweri Museveni has called on newly commissioned Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers to embrace the demands of modern warfare by becoming masters of both traditional and emerging battlefields.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony of officer cadets at Kabamba Military Training School, the Commander-in-Chief said Uganda’s security now depends on officers who can operate not just on land, water, and air, but also in the evolving realms of cyber and space warfare.
“The strategic security of Uganda and Africa demands that you go beyond the conventional domains,” he said, stressing that the future of defence lies in superior technology and intellect.
Reflecting on the origins of the National Resistance Army (NRA)—the precursor to the UPDF—President Museveni reminded the officers that the NRA’s success during the bush war stemmed from tactical ingenuity rather than sheer numbers. He urged the cadets to uphold this tradition by “outthinking potential adversaries” and adapting to new security challenges.
The President also underscored the importance of physical fitness and discipline, urging the new officers to sustain the high standards they achieved during training.
“A disciplined and healthy lifestyle is essential for a long and productive career,” he said, noting that the nation’s confidence in them rests on their continued vitality and commitment.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, rooted the ceremony in history, describing Kabamba as “the very ground where the UPDF was launched 44 years ago under the President’s single-minded, determined and visionary leadership.”
He hailed the UPDF’s transformation from a liberation force into one of Africa’s most respected militaries. “In South Sudan, in the DRC, in Somalia, in CAR, in Equatorial Guinea—it is a force for good. Wherever the call of duty is made on the African continent, the UPDF stands ready to respond,” Gen Kainerugaba said.
The CDF emphasized the army’s Pan-African character, noting that the graduating class included cadets from Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Kenya, and the Central African Republic. He credited the Commander-in-Chief for nurturing this spirit of continental solidarity.
Commending the new officers for their courage, Gen Kainerugaba described soldiering as “the highest vocation in the whole of human life.” However, he reminded them that the journey had just begun. “We will continue to sharpen them until they are the best warriors and commanders out there,” he said.
On institutional reforms, Gen Kainerugaba highlighted ongoing efforts to improve soldier welfare, including better pay, expanded housing, and the imminent commissioning of the UPDF Referral Hospital. He issued a stern warning against corruption, describing it as “abhorrent and a desecration of duty,” and pledged continued action against culprits.
He reaffirmed the UPDF’s readiness to meet evolving security challenges through sustained training and equipment modernization. Concluding his address, the CDF urged the officers to lead by example and maintain both ideological clarity and physical readiness as they prepare for frontline deployments.
A Ceremony of Legacy and Continuity
The colourful event drew Uganda’s top civilian and military leadership, symbolizing the continuity of the UPDF’s founding ideals under a new generation. Among the special guests were Gen Kainerugaba’s former platoon commander at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Maj. Gen. Ben Kite, and his former colleague, Mr. Sam Instone, who were introduced to President Museveni during a brief meeting.
Also in attendance were Defence Minister Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, State Minister for Defence Hon. Oleru Huda, and Permanent Secretary Ms. Rose Byengoma, alongside the UPDF’s top command including Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, Service Chiefs, Division Commanders, and other senior officers.
