President Yoweri Museveni has praised the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and other military commanders for instilling a new spirit of lethality, professionalism, and innovation within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Speaking at a hybrid pass-out ceremony for over 10,000 recruits at the Basic Military Training School (BMTS) in Kaweeta, Nakaseke District on Monday, President Museveni commended the UPDF leadership for its focus on fighting corruption and fostering a modern, capable force.
“An army must be sharp and lethal, not blunt and this is exactly what the CDF has been advocating,” Museveni said. He highlighted the enduring principles of warfare offense and defense and urged the army to keep pace with advances in technology and organization to avoid historical vulnerabilities.
Citing the failure of African ancestors to resist colonialism and the slave trade due to technological inferiority, Museveni warned that lagging behind remains a national security risk.
The President also praised the hybrid nature of the event as a sign of the UPDF’s embrace of innovation. “Instead of holding six separate events, we combined them into one central function, joined virtually by others a testament to efficiency through technology,” he said.
Both Museveni and Gen. Kainerugaba emphasized the importance of physical and medical fitness, urging soldiers to treat their health as a patriotic duty.
In his remarks, Gen. Kainerugaba reaffirmed the army’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, declaring that misuse of military resources is both “abhorrent and sacrilegious.” He assured the President that decisive action will be taken against any commanders who engage in such misconduct.
“We are committed to ensuring value for money in every operation,” said the CDF, who has recently overseen the arrest of several corrupt officers. “Wastage and abuse of our limited resources will no longer be tolerated.”
Gen. Kainerugaba, also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, encouraged the recruits by highlighting recent strides in improving the welfare of UPDF personnel including better remuneration, accommodation, logistics, healthcare, and education for soldiers’ children.
“You’ve joined the UPDF at the right time,” he told the recruits. “We want our men and women in uniform, along with their families, to be proud of their conditions.”
He concluded by reminding the graduates that completing basic training is just the beginning. “More training lies ahead. We will continue to sharpen you into the best warriors, prepared to face any challenge.”
