Senior Army Officers Told to Look Beyond Combat Operations, Embrace Strategic Thinking

The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, has urged senior military officers to move beyond routine combat operations and adopt strategic thinking to respond to modern security threats.

Lt Gen Okiding made the call at the close of a five-day Strategic Exercise, STRATEX 26, for Intake 04 participants at the National Defence College-Uganda.

The exercise marked the final classroom assessment for the officers, who are completing a one-year course at the country’s top security training institution.

“Today’s strategic environment demands leaders who can think beyond conventional military operations,” said Lt Gen Okiding.

“You are not just gun shooters; you are strategic leaders capable of understanding, participating in, and responding to increasingly complex national, regional, and global security challenges.”

Lt Gen Okiding said the college exists to train officers who can guide national security policy and respond to complex threats.

“The National Defence College was established to prepare strategic leaders.”

He praised the college leadership and senior diplomats for creating a demanding learning environment that meets the needs of national security institutions.

The Commandant of NDC-Uganda, Brig Gen Alex Olupot, said the exercise helped participants improve their critical thinking, policy design and decision-making skills.

He said modern security threats require joint action by government and society.

“Over the five days, our participants have engaged in rigorous strategic analysis to develop the capacity for critical thinking, policy formulation, and decision-making,” Brig Gen Olupot said.

The Dean of Studies and Exercise Director, Brig Gen Kefa Nangeso, said STRATEX 26 allowed participants to apply lessons from the one-year programme.

He said the module focused on how states balance diplomatic, informational, military and economic power.

“The exercise highlighted the interconnectedness of global events and resource limitations. Participants practised strategic communication, drafted permanent national security strategies, and analysed how resources must be dynamically prioritised across competing strategic needs,” said Brig Gen Nangeso.

Ambassador Mull Katende, who represented senior mentors and diplomats who assessed the officers, said defence and diplomacy must work together.

“Our interaction demonstrates that defence and diplomacy are fundamentally interrelated and mutually supportive. And we encourage you, therefore, to continue growing those experiences in diplomacy to the military officers,” said Ambassador Katende.

The Exercise Sponsor, Col Ephraim Mugume, said the exercise brought together all lessons covered during the course.

“The exercise’s main objective is to enhance members’ understanding of practical strategy-making, including the development of their skills in strategic analysis and strategy formulation,” Col Mugume explained.

He praised the participants for their professionalism, curiosity and teamwork.

The National Defence College-Uganda has so far graduated three intakes of strategic leaders from the military, government agencies and allied countries.

With the completion of STRATEX 26, Intake 04 participants now await graduation. The college says the milestone supports its mission to train leaders who can address national, regional and global security challenges.