Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), and other military leaders have received praise from President Yoweri Museveni for bringing a new spirit of lethality, professionalism, and innovation to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
President Museveni praised the UPDF leadership for their focus on combating corruption and building a modern, capable force during a hybrid pass-out ceremony for more than 10,000 recruits held Monday at the Basic Military Training School (BMTS) in Kaweeta, Nakaseke District.
Museveni declared, “The CDF has been advocating for an army that is lethal and sharp, not blunt.” In order to prevent historical vulnerabilities, he emphasized the timeless principles of warfare offense and defense and urged the army to stay up to date with organizational and technological advancements.
Museveni cautioned that falling behind still poses a threat to national security, citing the inability of African forebears to fend off colonialism and the slave trade because of their lack of technological sophistication.
The event’s hybrid format was also hailed by the president as evidence of the UPDF’s commitment to innovation. As a demonstration of technological efficiency, he stated, “instead of holding six separate events, we combined them into one central function, joined virtually by others.”
Gen. Kainerugaba and Museveni both stressed the value of physical and medical fitness and urged soldiers to view their health as a patriotic obligation.
Gen. Kainerugaba reiterated the army’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption in his remarks, saying that misusing military assets is “abhorrent and sacrilegious.” He gave the President his word that commanders who commit such misbehavior will face harsh consequences.
The CDF, which recently oversaw the arrest of multiple dishonest officers, declared, “We are committed to ensuring value for money in every operation.” “We will no longer put up with waste or misuse of our finite resources.”
The recruits were urged by Gen. Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, who highlighted recent advancements in UPDF personnel welfare, such as improved pay, housing, logistics, healthcare, and education for soldiers’ children.
He informed the recruits, “You joined the UPDF at the right time.” “We want our service members to be proud of their circumstances, as well as their families.”
In closing, he reminded the graduates that finishing basic training is only the first step. “There is more training to come. We’ll keep honing you into the greatest fighters, ready to take on any obstacle.
