You Won’t Regret Joining The Army, President Museveni To SFC Recruits

The President and Commander in Chief (CIC) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) H.E Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today officiated at the pass-out of recruits who have completed their Basic Military Course (BMC) at Sera Kasenyi Training School in Entebbe.

The successful 229 recruits, of which 35 are females, started their nine months of BMC Intake 08/2022 – 23, on 15 August 2022.

In his remarks at the function, President Museveni congratulated recruits and expressed his happiness that the group has been transformed into useful Ugandans. “You will not regret joining the army,” he said, noting that the group demonstrated the basics of fighting as demonstrated through the terrain model and shooting range.

President Museveni elaborated on the importance of using combined arms to fight, saying that integrating fighting styles scores a success. “You should never use one element when fighting. You need different elements,” President Museveni told the newly passed-out recruits and other troops at the function.

He added that the fresh recruits will add value to the army and urged commanders to absorb them into the different units and formations, most especially the engineers and doctors.

The President further congratulated the Special Forces Command (SFC) for upgrading their level of training, as witnessed by the use of electronic training aids (Simulator). “The use of electronic training aids is very smart because it enables the training of many people, reduces wear and tear of machinery like tanks, and saves on fuel,” he explained.

To the trainees, the CIC called upon them to upgrade so as to be far in the army and also encouraged them not to misuse the chance of joining the army.

He concluded by promising to improve the infrastructure at the school to deepen and widen the professionalization agenda.

The State Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Hon. Oleru Huda appreciated the peace and security created by UPDF, noting that it has enabled growth and development in all other sectors of the economy.

He noted that the good leadership and commitment to work have built UPDF into a professional army, where the generated capacity has seen the army solve problems like the recent floating island.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Staff Land Force Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba commended the President for his strategic guidance on building a modern, efficient and modern army.

He said the training aims at enhancing the skills of the force and urged trainees to maintain discipline, ideological clarity, live within their means, stay physically fit and healthy. “Any act of indiscipline will never be tolerated,” he emphasized.

The SFC Commander Brig Gen David Mugisha agitated for revolutionary methods of work and lauded the army leadership for improving the welfare of soldiers, through avenues like Operation Wealth Creation, Presidential Support Fund, and Wazalendo, among others.

According to the Commandant of the school, Lt Col William Ndyomugabe, course objectives were achieved which will help trainees understand where Uganda was, is and wants to be.

He urged them to be resilient, patient and endure daily occurrences. “Use the knowledge acquired to love Uganda and protect people,” he implored graduates.

The function closed with recognition of the best trainees and taking the student-led oath of allegiance. The best overall recruit was Pte Mugabe Yesse, best in class Pte Ruranga Jessy, best in practicals Pte Kavuma Michael Lwanga, best in leadership and discipline Pte Ikondere Mathew and Pte Dr. Nabwonge Polly emerged as the best female recruit.

Earlier, the President had a guided brief of the terrain model, witnessed the range shooting and martial arts, and ended with a virtual view of the simulator, before he addressed invited guests.

Today’s graduates acquired skills in VIPP, Mission Training, Defensive driving, Basic Intelligence, Ideology, Special Forces Qualification Course Level 11 (Tier 11), Simulator operations and Basic Military drills.

The pass-out was also attended by the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs Under Secretary Finance and Administration Mrs. Edith Buturo, RDC Wakiso Ms. Justine Mbabazi, RDC Entebbe Municipality Jackline Ankunda, Commander 1 Division Brig Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Chief of Staff Air Force Brig Gen David Gonyi, Deputy Chief Personnel and Administration Brig Gen Godfrey Kigozi, and religious leaders, among others.