Colonels Ankunda and Kamugira Shine at NDC Graduation

Colonel Paddy Ankunda, the former UPDF Spokesperson, has taken the top spot in the second cohort of the National Defense College, with Colonel McDans Kamugira winning the Commandant's Research Paper award for his work on Foreign Aid Dependency, Development, and National Security in Uganda from 1990 to 2023.

The second-best performer in the class was a civilian, Assistant Commissioner Arthur Blick Kamya from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, marking the first time a civil servant has attended an NDC course in Uganda.

In addition to Colonels Ankunda and Kamugira, Col. Ronald Kagyenyi, Col Dr. Victoria Nekesa and Col. Paul Muwonge were also recognised for their exceptional performance among the 21 graduating students.

During the graduation ceremony, President Yoweri Museveni urged the graduates to steer clear of corrupt practices for the sake of the country's ongoing socio-economic transformation. He emphasized that corruption is a significant issue among civil servants and some members of the armed forces.

President Museveni praised the UPDF for its evolution into a strong and strategic force, attributing its success to thorough analysis of various situations.

Maj Gen Francis B Okello, the NDC-U Commandant, commended the graduates for their hard work and for sharing their experiences with each other. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, UPDF leadership, the Busoga kingdom, facilitators from Makerere University and Jinja-based Civil Service College, as well as other key stakeholders for their unwavering support.

Established in 2021 by President Museveni, NDC-U offers strategic-level joint defense and security sector education to senior military officers, national security professionals, and future leaders.

In attendance at the graduation ceremony were Minister of State for Veteran Affairs Hudah Oleru Abason, Members of Parliament Diana Mutasingwa and Tim Lwanga, Deputy Inspector General of Government Ann Twinomugisha Muhaire, Permanent Secretary MODVA Rosette Byengoma, and Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs Vincent Bagire.

Also present were Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Commander Air Force Lt Gen Charles Okidi, Managing Director Uganda Air Cargo Lt Gen (Rtd) Nakibus Lakara, Commandant Senior Command and Staff College - Kimaka Maj Gen George Igumba, along with other high-ranking UPDF officers.