Over 500 Soldiers Graduate from the Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy

At least 590 soldiers have graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy (NCOA) at the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) Gadaffi Garrison in Jinja.

The Chief of Staff Land Forces, Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda presided over the pass out ceremony of 467 militants who completed six months Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ (SNCO) Course Intake 16/19-20 and 123 who finished four months’ Level III Instructor’s Course Intake 04/19-20.

Gen Kyanda was impressed by the demonstrations done by the graduands during the pass out, which included; range, tactics, drill and instruction exercises. He said the excellent performance exhibited is a clear sign that the trainees greatly benefited from the training.

“This is a remarkable achievement for the UPDF and also a clear sign that the professionalization agenda is moving on a steady trajectory,” he observed, adding that the UPDF leadership is committed to build capacity of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Corps and that such courses are part of the wider arrangement to empower them with leadership skills to manage soldiers under their command.

“The NCO training has taken priority on the UPDF calendar because it is important to empower the NCOs who play a vital role in linking the Militants to Officer,” Maj Gen Kyanda said. He noted that it’s the NCOs who are closest to the soldiers and play an important role in ensuring an efficient, disciplined and effective Force. He said the NCOs should on deployment ensure daily drilling and inspection of the troops under their command to ensure focus and combat readiness.

The Commandant of NCOA, Col Saad Katemba said the courses were intended to equip the trainees with skills and knowledge and as well enhance their individual capabilities to enable them to perform duties more effectively.

“I am confident that the courses have added a brick in the construction of a professional Force. These graduands can now be entrusted with more responsibilities in the maintenance of security in our country and anywhere else the leadership may decide,” Col Katemba said.