The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned 782 young cadet officers of Intake 05.
This happened at the Kaweweta Training School in Nakaseke district.
Speaking at the commissioning, the President congratulated the newly commissioned officers and urged them to preserve their health and physical fitness so that they can maintain peace and stability in the country. “By doing so, that’s how you fight a just war. You will know how to handle wars in the country when you stay healthy and fit,” he said.
President Museveni encouraged the commissioned officers to master the skills and knowledge acquired from the training. “You must master all those skills like how to use the terrain when fighting. Three people can fight very well when they take advantage of the squad of three people since fighting is like cooking using stones,” the President explained.
He cautioned parents of graduates to embrace all income-generating opportunities offered by the government to improve their quality of life.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja commended the President for steering the country to greater heights as evidenced by the medal recently awarded to President Museveni by his counterpart of South Africa in recognition of the former’s contribution to the liberation of South Africa.
Hon Ssempijja urged the graduates to use the skills and knowledge attained from the course to build their motherland. “You remain royal and serve your motherland,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi noted that the UPDF leadership is working within the available resources to improve the welfare of soldiers, most especially in terms of housing and pay.
He told encroachers on army land to vacate so that the army can put it to more meaningful use.
The Commandant Kaweweta Training School Brig Gen J Barigye Ruhesi thanked the President and UPDF leadership for all the support that enabled the school achieve this milestone.
He informed the gathering that 705 male officers and 77 female officers successfully completed 05 Short Cadet Course in Kaweweta.
The Overall best student was Agaba Atwiine and most disciplined was Ivan Wamono.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by also the Deputy Commander Land Force Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, Area MP Hon. Nyongor, local and religious leaders, UPDF Senior and Junior Officers, and parents of graduates, among others.