The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has concluded a specialized training program for its officers to guarantee lawful conduct and minimize civilian casualties during domestic security assignments.
The military wrapped up the Military in Internal Operations Course Intake 04/26 at the Legal Training Centre on Sunday. Conducted in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the initiative directly targets operational challenges arising when soldiers manage domestic crises. The curriculum focuses heavily on international humanitarian law, strict crowd control guidelines, and human rights frameworks. Top commanders told the graduates that the state expects absolute restraint whenever troops deploy alongside civilian police agencies.
The Head of Counter-Intelligence at the Directorate of Counter-Intelligence and Security, Colonel Henry Buryomunda, presided over the closing ceremony. He challenged the returning personnel to serve as ambassadors of institutional change within their respective frontline units. Colonel Buryomunda noted that tactical mastery becomes dangerous without sound moral and political education.
“You should go back to your units and make a difference," Colonel Henry Buryomunda stated. "Do not go back to the units to be a problem. Go and be a solution to so many things that we are challenged with.”
The Counter-Intelligence chief praised the ICRC as a vital, lifetime partner in supporting the ongoing professionalization of the national force. He emphasized that strict adherence to operational laws is the ultimate defense against tactical errors and human rights violations.
“A soldier without ideology is a potential criminal,” Colonel Henry Buryomunda added, referencing a famous historical quote to underscore the importance of military discipline.
The ICRC representative, Mr. Mamadou Camara, described the intensive legal training as an essential shield for soldiers operating in complex urban environments. He noted that managing internal security requires a completely different mindset than conventional warfighting because troops are dealing directly with their fellow compatriots. Camara reminded the participants that any use of force within the borders must remain strictly proportionate to the immediate threat.
“Internal operations are not an easy business," Mr. Mamadou Camara observed. "Even war has limits, and internal operations also have limits."
The Commandant of the Legal Training Centre, Maj Lydia Katisi, confirmed that the specialized coursework successfully upgraded the legal and tactical capacities of the participating officers. She urged the graduates to protect human dignity fiercely and operate strictly within authorized constitutional mandates. Maj Katisi concluded by reiterating that public trust remains the primary foundation of the country's defense strategy.
“As the UPDF, we remain a people-centred force committed to protecting Uganda, preserving peace and safeguarding national stability,” Maj Lydia Katisi stated.
