President Yoweri Museveni commissioned officer cadets at the Uganda Military Academy, Kabamba in Mubende.
Check also: The Opposition Has Nothing To Give Ugandans -Museveni
After 53 weeks of training, a total of 256 officers were passed out: 228 male, 28 females.
There were 57 Somali fraternal officers while 21 provisional 2nd Lt Officers from the political commissar unit were also passed out.
Failure to undertake what a national army should entail has made many countries outsource security from the United Nations instead of sourcing security from within, Museveni said.
“After years of analysis, we concluded that the army should have five principles: ideology and patriotism, skills of warfare, discipline, physical fitness and bravery.”
He said the army is like a surgeon who uses a knife to cut the sick parts. “If you cut anyhow, you are a butcher. Soldiers use violence that is purposeful, disciplined and limited to targets.”
The UPDF has done good things even with limited resources, the president said, adding that UPDF is an army of merit and patriots, not an army of job seekers.
“We are now a large group of officers with those characteristics. What we need now is really consolidation.”
He said government will continue to build the army: the Land Forces, Air Force and Marines. There is need for more work with the marine forces.
A large part of the country is under water and the internal lakes too need security. The marine force will help guard fisheries, he pointed out.
“I was reading the New Vision newspaper today and saw that fish has increased in the lakes. The fishers of immature fish had finished that resource in the lakes. I thank the marines for the good work done so far.”
As the economy grows, he observed, the government will develop defence infrastructure such as dormitories and build and refurbish some of the army airbases.
Also efforts are ongoing to harmonise salaries for civil servants and once done, soldiers, teachers, and health workers will get better pay, the president promised.
“On infrastructure, the government will tarmac the Lusarila, Kasambya, Kyakasa, Nkongi, Makole, Lubejjele, Lutusi, Ssembabule Road, which is part of the oil roads. The pipeline will pass near here.”
He congratulated the Somali army for sending its soldiers to Uganda for training.
“I also congratulate the Somali soldier who was among the best performers. Somalis are very brave people, they should redirect their energies to building their country.”
Source: edge
Check also;
- There Is An Advantage In the 7 Year Term Limit Than 5 Year Term Limit-M7
- All Super World Countries Where Once Lead By Old Leaders-M7
- The Uganda Army Is Among The Best Trained Army In Africa- M7
This is not a Paywall, but Newslex Point's journalism consumes a lot of time, hard-work and money. That's why we're kindly requesting you to support us in anyway they can, for as little as $1 or more, you can support us .
Please use the button below to contribute to Newslex Point, Inc. using a credit card or via PayPal.
![Donate Button with Credit Cards]( https://www.paypalobjects.com/webstatic/en_US/btn/btn_donate_cc_147x47.png)