The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has urged Officer Cadets Intake 19 to continue defending their motherland, Africa, and their countries of origin to ensure stability and prosperity.
This remark was made on behalf of the CDF by the Commander of the UPDF 5 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Keith Katungi, while delivering a lecture to Officer Cadets Course Intake 19/25 at the Basic Military Training School (BMTS) in Kaweweta, Nakaseke district.
“I expect you to continue defending the motherland, Africa, and your own countries,” Gen Kainerugaba said to the 498 Officer Cadets who are due to graduate after successfully completing the nine-month course.
Maj Gen Katungi emphasized the importance of continuous training to build a strong, non-partisan, patriotic, professional, and disciplined force capable of defending the interests of its people.
“What starts from here changes the world,” he said. “After the training here, you are agents of change, but first, know yourself before you can change others or before you know your enemy.”
The 5 Infantry Division Commander advised Officer Cadets to continuously train their subordinates, issue concise orders, supervise their subjects, ensure the welfare of their subjects, and motivate and direct soldiers into action to accomplish tasks.
“Be near to your soldiers to improve efficiency,” Maj Gen Katungi stressed. “Once a leader identifies others, always approach situations with solutions, not lamentations.”
He further urged them to take ownership of situations, saying, “Carry your country, own up, and be ready to die for your country.”
Maj Gen Katungi also cited Jack Welch’s advice to leaders, applying it to the military context, where commanders should be generous to their subordinates and be meaningful officers, as “your unit becomes what you are.” “Celebrate success and give meaning to situations by justifying your actions,” he elaborated.
The senior officer concluded by highlighting the importance of self-improvement and growing others as leaders. “Success is growing others as a leader,” he emphasized.
The Commandant of BMTS-Kaweweta, Brig Gen JP Otongo, congratulated the soon graduating cadets commended the UPDF leadership for continuously improving soldiers’ capabilities in the information age, saying the act they as leaders remain committed to ensuring the CDFs mandate of securing the nation and region.
He urged Cadets to fight till the end, noting that it’s not yet over until it’s done.
Course Intake 19/25 Officer Cadets were drawn from Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (328), Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces (10), Somali National Army (40), Central African Republic (100), and Malian Armed Forces (20). The Officer Cadets later attended a CDF dinner to celebrate their outstanding achievement in the UPDF hierarchy of command.