The Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba is shifting from traditional military training towards a model that emphasises critical thinking, informed decision-making and strategic competence as the demands of modern warfare and national security evolve.
The academy’s Commandant, Brigadier General Saad Katemba, says the transition is intended to equip future military leaders with the intellectual and professional capabilities needed to analyse emerging threats, assess complex situations and make timely decisions.
Katemba said modern military operations require officers who can go beyond conventional combat skills to understand the broader security environment and respond effectively to national and regional challenges. He attributed the shift partly to the academy’s partnership with Makerere University, which he said was strengthening the academic and professional preparation of officer cadets.
The Commandant made the remarks during the commissioning of 280 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer cadets at the Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba, Mubende District, where President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni presided over the ceremony. The commissioned officers comprise graduates of the Professional Officer Cadet programmes and the Bachelor of Defence Studies programme, including officers who received training at military academies abroad.
Katemba also highlighted the role of international military training exchanges in strengthening defence cooperation and diplomatic relations among participating countries. He told Museveni that five of the 87 graduates of the Bachelor of Defence Studies programme were from sister security forces, comprising two officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, one from the Rwanda Defence Force and two from the Tanzania People’s Defence Force.
He said the participation of foreign cadets in Uganda’s military training programmes demonstrates the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and stronger partnerships in defence and security. Katemba also recognised Ugandan officers who had completed military training abroad, including graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and military academies in India.
He said the professional training and Bachelor of Defence Studies programmes offer different categories of instruction, equipping officers with specialised military skills and knowledge suited to their respective responsibilities. Speaking at the same ceremony, Museveni urged the newly commissioned officers to remain focused on their military careers, warning them against distractions that could undermine their service.
The President also outlined key pillars of national defence, directing the officers to support economic growth, strengthen civil-military relations, prioritise science and technology, and pay attention to geostrategic security. Museveni said a strong and productive economy was essential to sustaining an effective military, urging the UPDF leadership to protect wealth creation in agriculture, manufacturing, services and information and communications technology.
He called for closer cooperation between the military and relevant authorities to combat criminal activities that undermine economic production, particularly livestock theft targeting farmers. The President said such crimes frustrate wealth-creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model, and should not be tolerated. On civil-military relations, Museveni reminded the officers that public cooperation was central to national security, drawing on his experience during the liberation struggle, when civilians provided vital support to fighters despite shortages of weapons and other military equipment.
He urged the officers to maintain public trust through discipline and responsible conduct. Museveni also called for stronger military training to ensure that soldiers were competent, confident and capable of effectively handling their weapons. He further emphasised the importance of science and technology in strengthening Africa’s defence capabilities, arguing that technological disadvantages had contributed to the continent’s vulnerability during the slave trade and colonialism.
The President commended Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the leadership of the Uganda Military Academy and the UPDF’s strategic leadership for initiatives aimed at improving military training and preparing officers for professional service. Kainerugaba, in his remarks, urged the newly commissioned officers to uphold loyalty and discipline as they joined the UPDF officer corps.
He described the two values as fundamental to the army’s traditions and essential to strengthening its ability to maintain peace and security. The CDF called for the highest standards of military education across all training institutions, urging the officers to report to their respective units and formations to participate in ongoing military assignments.
He said the field experience would help them develop into well-rounded leaders while contributing to national and regional security. Kainerugaba also reaffirmed the UPDF’s commitment to improving military training, acquiring modern equipment and enhancing soldiers’ welfare, supported by discipline and ideological and political education.
On the security situation, the CDF said Uganda and the wider region remained relatively calm, with regional peace and stabilisation missions continuing effectively. However, he expressed concern over a recent increase in violent crime in some parts of the country, where suspects were reportedly using machetes and, in some cases, firearms to rob, kill and sexually assault women.
He warned that the security agencies, operating under the inter-agency security framework, would intensify operations to track down and apprehend the suspects. Kainerugaba said the operations would continue until the safety of citizens, and the protection of life and property were restored. The commissioning ceremony brought together Ugandan officer cadets and trainees from sister countries, reflecting the academy’s role in professional military education and regional defence cooperation-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
