President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for playing a vital role in securing Uganda and contributing to regional stability, while urging the military to deepen strategic thinking through professional education.
Speaking at the third graduation ceremony of the National Defence College–Uganda (NDC-U) in Buikwe District, President Museveni praised the UPDF and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for establishing robust military institutions.
“I want to congratulate the NRM and UPDF for building a comprehensive infrastructure—both human and physical—for the defence of Uganda and for contributing to Africa’s security,” he said.
He emphasized the need to enrich the college curriculum with critical lessons in political economy, Pan-Africanism, and patriotism. “Africa's problems often stem from strategic and ideological mistakes,” the President said. “Not understanding the role of the private sector, patriotism, Pan-Africanism, and army building has caused many African nations to fail to maintain peace.”
The President noted that the UPDF’s capacity has enabled it to export peace to countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia. “Sometimes without external funding—except in Somalia—we maintain peace beyond our borders,” he added.
The 2025 cohort comprised 22 graduates, including two female officers—Brig Gen Charity Bainababo and Col Betty Wanyera Musuya—and a civilian, Ronnie Smurts Amoro, a policy analyst at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Museveni said the National Defence College plays a vital role in preparing commanders by teaching them to integrate warfare elements, politics, economics, and administration into national security planning. “The concept of combined arms is crucial—infantry, Air Force, armor, communication, and reconnaissance must work together to achieve success,” he said.
The President also welcomed the growing interest of East African citizens in regional integration, noting that “traders are now demanding tarmacked roads connecting East African countries to ease trade.”
Commandant Brig Gen Alex Opolot Olupot confirmed that all graduates passed the National Security and Strategic Studies course and completed the first phase of their Master’s in Security Strategy offered by Makerere University.
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Jacob Oboth Oboth praised NDC-U for producing leaders equipped to address today’s complex security challenges. He revealed plans to transform NDC-U into a National Defence University, consolidating all military professional training and enhancing research capacity.
“The National Defence University will admit course members from ministries, departments, and agencies to promote inter-agency collaboration,” he announced.
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding said the college is preparing leaders to tackle national security threats like corruption. “This is a result of your visionary leadership, Your Excellency,” he told Museveni.
President Museveni encouraged graduates to stay focused on national service and avoid ideological errors that have plagued other African armies.
Outstanding graduates included Col Ronald Mulindwa Nangamba, who received the award for academic excellence, and Col Henry Okumu Obbo. Ronnie Amoro was also recognized for his paper analyzing health service delivery and national security from 1986 to 2024.
The ceremony was attended by senior UPDF officers, government ministers, and other dignitaries.
