President Yoweri Museveni, Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), has re-echoed his earlier message that Uganda is a secure country, despite the recent isolated Al Shabab attacks in Somalia and ADF terrorist attacks in Kasese.
He made the comments while presiding over the pass-out of over 9690 Local Defence Units (LDUs) at Kaweweta Recruits Training School, Nakaseke District, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. The president reminded the graduates of the heroic achievements of the UPDF in Uganda and across Africa and urged them to be disciplined and avoid corruption tendencies.
“Nobody should get worried about the security of the country. Anybody who disturbs Uganda will pay a very big price,” said President Museveni.
He also urged UPDF leadership to prioritise infrastructure development in training schools so that they become centres of excellence. Among the graduates, 5000 hold the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education and above, while 5 are Master’s Degree holders.
The Chief of Defence Forces, General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, urged the new soldiers to uphold the UPDF’s core values of discipline and the force’s code of conduct.
Also present at the ceremony were the Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga; Commandant Kaweweta Recruits Training School, Brig Gen Bonny Wolimbwa, State Minister for Defence, Jacob Oboth, State Minister for Tourism, Martin Bahinduka Mugarra; and local leaders, among others.