President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), on Friday commissioned 498 Officer Cadets of Intake 19/25 at the UPDF Basic Military Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.
Of the 498 newly commissioned officers, 328 are from the UPDF, while 170 are from partner African nations, including 100 from the Central African Republic, 40 from Somalia, 20 from Mali, and 10 from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces.
In his remarks, President Museveni congratulated the cadets on completing their training and officially joining what he called “an army of warriors and heroes.”
“You are joining an army based on the principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, discipline, and professionalism,” the President said.
He commended the cadets for their endurance and commitment throughout the rigorous training, notably citing the symbolic 177-kilometre Salim Saleh Walk retracing the historic route used by the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1985 during the successful operation on Masindi Barracks.
“That walk symbolizes commitment, sacrifice, and resilience. You are inheriting the spirit of those who never gave up and that’s the spirit we expect from you,” he emphasized.
President Museveni urged the officers to uphold the four guiding pillars of the UPDF, patriotism, Pan-Africanism, discipline, and professionalism, throughout their service, describing them as the foundation of a people-centered army.
“You are being commissioned into an army that stands for love of country, love of Africa, and service to the people with dignity. Be disciplined and physically ready to defend your country,” he said.
The President also commended the collaboration between Uganda and other African countries represented in the training, saying it demonstrates Africa’s ability to build its own capacity for peace and security.
He shared a light moment from the event, recalling his interaction with a visiting cadet who told him her favorite thing about Uganda was ‘akatogo’, a popular local dish.
“That shows the bonds we are building through cooperation,” Museveni noted with a smile.
Turning to infrastructure, President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving roads, water, and electricity within the Luweero Triangle and surrounding areas.
He revealed that several roads in the area have already been tarmacked, including the Katugo–Kaweweta road, which is among those slated for upgrade.
On water and power supply, he said the government is exploring ways to pump water from Lake Kyoga to serve nearby communities, noting that Nakaseke’s flat terrain makes the project feasible.
Electricity, he added, already reaches Kaweweta and could soon be extended to surrounding areas.
The President also praised the UPDF for its recent successful operations against criminal elements in Kasese District.
“I want to congratulate the CDF and the army for crushing the bad elements in Kasese. They were defeated by only 12 soldiers, that confidence comes from solid training,” he said.
President Museveni concluded by congratulating the newly commissioned officers once again and urged them to carry forward the UPDF’s enduring legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, and service to Uganda and Africa.
The Source Reports.
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