With over 10,000 officers graduating, some in person and others virtually, the hybrid ceremony saw the most recruits in a single pass-out event.
On April 28, President Yoweri Museveni held a ceremony at Kaweweta in Nakasongola District to pass out more than 10,000 young officers of Intake 17 for the 2024–2025 training year.
He underlined how crucial professionalism and lethality are in the military.
President Museveni, who spoke at the event, praised the leadership of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for reaffirming their commitment to combating corruption, saying that this action is already showing results in the military.
The President stated, “The CDF has been talking about the need for an army to be lethal and sharp, not blunt.”
“The spear, the arrow, and the shield” stand for the principles of offense and defense that have governed warfare throughout history, he said, reflecting on the timeless tenets of warfare. He emphasized that a proficient force must be exceptional at both attacking and defending itself.
Museveni also emphasized the necessity of the military’s constant technological and organizational advancements, cautioning that falling behind would put the country at risk. He brought up Uganda’s colonial past, pointing out that the lack of technology was the reason why the ancestors were unable to fend off foreign rule.
He commended the hybrid graduation ceremony’s use of technology, stating that it was more effective than having several different events.
“We held one central function while others joined virtually, instead of attending six separate events,” he said.
President Museveni also urged soldiers to put their physical and medical health first, stating that failing to do so is a betrayal of the country, oneself, and one’s family.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), cautioned commanders against misusing military resources in his remarks.
Gen. Kainerugaba stated: “Any commander or officer who misuses or diverts resources for selfish gain is abhorrent and sacrilegious, really.”
“Your Excellency, I must also add that we will not hold back from taking firm action against those who disregard this call.”
He underlined how crucial financial restraint is in the army.
“We have faith that we will accomplish each of the goals one at a time. Among other things, we are attempting to achieve this by making sure that every shilling is worth the money,” he stated.
“Waste and misuse of our limited and scarce resources, which would otherwise improve the operating conditions of our brave soldiers, will no longer be tolerated.”
Gen. Kainerugaba gave the recruits reassurance that they had joined the UPDF at the right time, pointing to notable advancements in soldier welfare, such as improved housing, pay, logistics, healthcare, and education for their kids.
He said, “We want our fighting men and women to be proud of the conditions in which they live and work, along with their families.”
Serving in the military is a noble calling, he said.
“The greatest vocation or calling a person can have is becoming a warrior. “I can’t think of anything that’s comparable,” he emphasized.
But he reminded the graduates that they were just getting started.
“Their basic military training is just getting started. There is still a great deal of training ahead of them, and we will keep honing them until they are the best fighters available, capable of handling any challenge that comes up in the course of their work.”
With over 10,000 officers graduating, some in person and others virtually, the hybrid ceremony saw the most recruits in a single pass-out event.
