By Nangayi Guyson

Kampala, Uganda - Despite the recent attack on UPDF forces in Somalia and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) offensive in Kasese, President Museveni has assured Ugandans that the country is still safe and secure.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), said this while passing out 9,690 local defense personnel on June 30,2023 at Kaweweta Recruit Training School in central Uganda.

"When we make a few mistakes, like those that occurred in Somalia and Kasese, people who are unfamiliar with war begin to run around in panic, but I can assure you that Uganda's security is absolutely secure. I was speaking with commanders here about several errors that were made in Somalia. There are still some intelligence gaps in Kasese, but they are all easily resolved. That region of the country has been tranquil for a long time, and the people there are pretty relaxed,” The President warned that anyone who upsets us will pay a very high price.

At the event, where 9,690 LDUs from Kaweweta Recruit Training School in Nakaseke, Labwordwong Training School in Agago, and Olilim Training School in Karamoja were recruited, the President also mentioned that educated people can make good soldiers and cadres who learn quickly because modern warfare has a lot of "science."

"When you hear about how well-performing some forces, like the Israeli army, are, it's because their members are educated. In the 1960s, educated individuals would engage in armed conflict with peasants from other nations, and due to technology and quick learning, they were unable to handle. Only occasionally do the educated grow arrogant and despise manual labor, but otherwise, educated individuals can become excellent troops and excellent cadres in other fields,” the President added.

The President was pleased to learn that 5,000 of the more than 9,000 recruits have education credentials equivalent to or more than an A' level. And of those, 700 have bachelor's degrees, while five have master's degrees.

"With this degree of education, it is simple to pick things up because science plays a big part in modern combat, and educated individuals can prepare extremely quickly. The individuals to whom rewards were given here are all educated. The other girls are midwives, and you know how cautious midwives are. One of the girls who won this honor had a degree in civil engineering. You won't survive if a midwife shoots you, he said.

"I'm thus extremely glad since this is great for the army and for the nation. Only 37 of these recruits completed Primary Seven, the speaker continued.

Gen. Museveni also expressed his gratitude to the graduates for finishing their program successfully. He sternly advised them to maintain discipline, maintain professionalism in the army, and take good care of their health by abstaining from risky behavior.

On the other hand, Gen. Museveni voiced concern, however, about the Katugo Marram Road in Nakaseke, which lacks drainage channels. Before dealing with them, he instructed the accountable parties to resolve the situation as quickly as feasible.

"Are they building a swimming pool or a road? Because if you build a road without drainage channels, your road will turn into a swimming pool when it rains. I'll have to deal with the person responsible if I return the next time," he warned.

Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), stated that the addition of these additional soldiers fits in perfectly with the UPDF's mission to create a modern, professional, effective, and efficient force that is capable of safeguarding Uganda.

"Therefore, Your Excellency, we thank you for your customary leadership and for creating a formidable force. Today, we have incorporated all of your observations made during the demonstrations, particularly those pertaining to the fundamentals of training. In order to increase soldiers' ability to recognize and use cover, their marksmanship, and their sense of teamwork, we will keep reviewing our basic training curriculum, General Mbadi added.

"Your Excellency, despite our limited financial resources, we will keep improving the UPDF's capabilities, capacity development, logistical support, welfare, and infrastructure development without neglecting all other collective solutions to solving our force's welfare issues like Education, medical care, the Defense Forces shop, WASACCO, and others," the UPDF said.

The recruits have been in training for 47 weeks, according to Brig. Gen. Bonny Wolimbwa, the training school's commandant, and they are now fully prepared to serve in the UPDF.

Brig Gen Wolimbwa continued, "Let me take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Defence, the Army Leadership, and all other stakeholders for the support that they have offered that have helped us to reach this day successfully.

"This is the day for the recruits. You have already demonstrated via your performances that you have gained the necessary abilities to perform in your respective units. As you leave this building, I implore you to act as good ambassadors and cooperate with one another because that is how you will succeed, he continued.

The top pupils received recognition for their remarkable achievement during the same event. The best overall student was Wampagana Moses Wasike, followed by Chelangat Bashir and Agabirwe Natasha as top performers in their respective fields. The best students in terms of leadership, range, and discipline were Kongai Rachel, Nechemet Annet, and Chebet Mercy Faith.
Under Museveni, Uganda has had relative political stability and economic prosperity, but there have also been serious shortfalls in democracy, governance, and human rights. In addition to the rapid population growth, Uganda also suffers infrastructure and power shortages.