Africa-Press – Uganda. A total of 122 Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers have completed a six-week Platoon Commanders Course at the School of Defence Intelligence and Security in Migyera, Nakasongola district.
The pass-out ceremony, held on Saturday, was presided over by the Commander Motorised Infantry Division, Maj Gen Charles Byanyima, who represented the Commander Land Forces.
In his remarks, Maj Gen Byanyima described the milestone as both the conclusion of training and the beginning of heightened responsibility for the officers.
“The skills you have acquired during this training have equipped and mentored you with professional abilities to handle any challenging task,” he said.
He urged the graduates to remain disciplined and uphold the UPDF code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, patriotism, and ideological clarity in executing their duties. He also reminded them of their constitutional obligation under Article 209, which defines the mandate of the armed forces.
The senior officer further encouraged the newly passed-out commanders to prioritise their health and remain focused, noting that they represent the future leadership of the UPDF.
Maj Gen Byanyima also commended the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for spearheading reforms that have enhanced infrastructure, combat readiness, welfare, and ideological grounding within the force, while reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
Brig Gen Wycliff Keita from Joint Staff Training and Doctrine (JS TRADOC) said the course was deliberately structured to address real operational challenges and close gaps in professional military education.
He noted that the training initiative, introduced by the CDF, is part of broader efforts to clear the backlog in military training and ensure that all eligible personnel access career development opportunities.
Representing the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Col Nicholas Humble Nyesiga credited the President for prioritising human resource development in the security sector. He added that the UPDF leadership has transformed the force into a more versatile and agile institution capable of responding to evolving security demands.
The Commandant of the School of Defence Intelligence and Security, Col Ezra Kokundakwe, revealed that 22 of the graduates were female, highlighting ongoing efforts toward inclusivity within the force.
He thanked UPDF leadership and the local community in Migyera for their continued support during the training period and urged the officers to uphold discipline and pursue excellence in their service.
The ceremony was attended by several senior military officials, including Brig Gen Paul Namawa, Chief of Staff of the Special Forces Command; Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, Commander Ground-Based Air Defence; Brig Gen Columbus Tumwine, Commandant of the Uganda Air Force College; Brig Gen Allan Karanzi; and Brig Gen John Patrick Otongo, Commandant of the Basic Military Training School, among others.
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