Educated People can make good Soldiers and Cadres- H.E. President Museveni
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has revealed that Educated people can make good soldiers and cadres while passing out 9,690 Local Defence Personnel at Kaweweta Recruit Training School on Thursday 29th June 2023
President Yoweri Museveni passed out 6239 Local Défense Unit (LDU) trainees at Kaweweta Training School in Nakaseke District at the end of the trainees’ 4-month training at Kaweweta Recruit Training School yesterday, Thursday 29th June 2023
The President who was impressed by the skills exhibited by the trainees, said that nobody would destabilize the peace of Uganda. as Ugandans have now seen that the country has the capacity to protect itself and defend its peace.
“When you hear that some armies do well like the Israeli army, it is because they are Educated people. In the 1960s, when they were fighting with the people they were fighting with, you would get Educated people fighting with peasants from other countries and they could not manage because of technology, and quick learning. The only problem is that sometimes the Educated become proud and look down upon manual work but otherwise Educated people can make good soldiers and very good cadres in different areas,” the President said.
Gen. Museveni further congratulated the graduands upon completing their course. He strongly cautioned them to take good care of their health by avoiding reckless lifestyles, remaining disciplined, and upholding professionalism in the army.
President Museveni also assured Ugandans that the country remains safe and secure despite the recent attack on UPDF soldiers in Somalia and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attack in Kasese that left over 40 people killed.
“When we get a few mistakes like what happened in Somalia and Kasese, those who don’t know war start running around, panicking but I can tell you that the security of Uganda is very secure. There were some mistakes in Somalia, and I was talking to commanders here about them. In Kasese, that part of the country has been peaceful for a long time and the people there were quite relaxed although there are still some gaps in intelligence, all these are easily solvable. Anybody who disturbs us will pay a very big price,” the President asserted.
On the other hand, Gen. Museveni expressed concern over the Katugo Marram Road in Nakaseke which doesn’t have drainage channels. He tasked the responsible parties to work on the issue as soon as possible before he deals with them.
“Are these making a road or a swimming pool? Because when you make a road, and you don’t put drainage channels when it rains your road will become a swimming pool. If I come next time, I will have to deal with the one involved,” he warned.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said the recruitment of these new soldiers fits very well in UPDF’s journey to build a modern, professional, effective, and efficient force capable of securing Uganda.
“We therefore thank Your Excellency for your usual guidance and for building a formidable force and today we have taken all your observations during the demonstrations, especially on the basics of training. We are going to continue to review our curriculum for basic training to enhance soldiers’ capacity to identify and use cover, marksmanship, and team spirit so that they can improve continuously,” Gen. Mbadi said.
“Your Excellency, despite our constrained budget, we will continue to enhance UPDF’s capabilities, capacity building, logistics support, welfare, and infrastructure development without forgetting all other collective solutions for solving our force’s welfare issues like Education, medical, Defence Forces shop, WASACCO, and others.” Gen Mbadi continued.
Brig. Gen. Bonny Wolimbwa, the Commandant of the training school, said the recruits have been trained for 47 weeks and they have been equipped with all the necessary skills required to serve in the UPDF.
“Allow me to thank the Ministry of Defence and the Army Leadership and all other stakeholders for the support that they have provided that has enabled us to reach this day successfully,” Brig Gen Wolimbwa added.
“To you, the recruits, this is your day. You have already proved from your demonstrations that you have acquired enough skills that will enable you to go and perform in your respective units. I urge you as you leave this place to go and be good Ambassadors, and work as a team; that’s when you will conquer,” he added.
During the same event, the best students were awarded for their exceptional performance. Wampagana Moses Wasike emerged as the best overall student, and Chelangat Bashir and Agabirwe Natasha emerged as the best in the field.
Kongai Rachel emerged as the best student in leadership, Nechemet Annet as the best student in range and Chebet Mercy Faith emerged as the best-disciplined student.
The event was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, and top UPDF leadership among other dignitaries.
