At least 637 Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers have completed a four months refresher and have been urged to apply the acquired skills in their day to day duties of protecting country’s sovereignty.
All the fresh graduates are Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) who have been undergoing a four months of training at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) in Gaddafi Barracks, Jinja Cantonment and it focused on instruction and command.
UPDF’s Deputy Commander Land Force, Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, who officiated at the ceremony, praised the graduates and highlighted the vital role of NCOs in the military. “The NCO core is the foundation of any force. The UPDF is focused on building a professional, well-trained force as an investment in human capital that will maintain the good shape of the force,” Maj Gen Takirwa said.
Soldiers have been cautioned against indiscipline, impatience, and non-commitment in their duties and also they must embrace responsibility and sacrifice. “I urged you to apply your newly acquired skills in your respective units and avoid lobbying for favoured assignments. You should emphasise teamwork and the national character that defines the UPDF’s success,” Maj Gen Takirwa added.
Soldiers’ success, according to Maj Gen Takirwa, can be ruined by not maintaining good health and financial discipline. For a soldier to be successful in UPDF establishment, Takirwa said he or she must remain dedicated to the values of national development.
Col Stephen Mulindwa, on behalf of the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine (TRADOC), assured the graduates that the UPDF would continue enhancing its training programs to ensure the force remains professional and ready for future challenges.
NCOA Commandant, Col Michael Ssesanga, commended the NCOs for their dedication and confirmed that the course objectives were fully achieved. “You have been prepared into competent leaders who must serve with dedication and passion because the UPDF has hope in you,” Col Ssesanga remarked.
Col Deo Akiiki, the deputy Army Spokesperson, said Sgt Norble Charles Otwa, emerged as the best overall student in the SNCO course while Pte Ambeja Hilder excelled in the Instructors Course, and Pte Munguja Felix, who was the top performer in the JNCO course.