President Museveni has warned Makerere University against teaching young soldiers neo-colonial Social Science.
The president was on Friday commission 248 Officer Cadets of Intake 04/2022 at Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba (UMA-K), Mubende district.
He also officiated at the graduation of 49 Officer Cadets of Intake 01/2019-22 who qualified with a Bachelor’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies of Kabamba (BDSK).
Speaking to the graduates, the Commander-in-Chief expressed his gratitude for attending the graduation of the Pioneer BDSK group and commended Makerere University staff for teaching this new course.
The president, however, cautioned the staff against teaching his young soldiers what he termed as “neo-colonial Social Science”.
“I shall call and ask those teachers what they teach the cadet trainees,” he mused.
He was happy that the trainees were being taught Political Science because only then will they know why they are in the army; to protect the interests of the wananchi (civilians).
He announced that the government was planning to build a primary school in every Brigade and a secondary school in every Division for children of soldiers.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the Academy, Brig Gen Charles Byaruhanga, reported that the Uganda Military Academy is mandated to conduct Officer Cadet and Platoon Commanders Courses.
“In 2019 Uganda Military Academy (UMA) was affiliated to Makerere University to start running the three-year Officer Cadet training programmes, leading to the award of Bachelor of Defence and Strategic Studies Degree as per the East Africa Community (EAC) Sectoral Council Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs,” he said.
Currently, Uganda Military Academy has three intakes for a three-year Officer Cadet Course.
The first Intake started on 26th August 2019 with 60 students 49 of whom including 4 women have graduated attaining a Degree in Defence Studies from Makerere University.
The Commandant expressed special gratitude to the team of lecturers from Makerere University who took care of the Academic part of the course.
Alongside the three-year Cadet course programme, the Academy also conducted a six-month Officer Cadet course.
“Intake 04/2022 Short” which started on 28th March 2022 comprising 253 trainees is graduating 248 cadets, 38 of who are female, that have successfully completed the 24-week Officer Cadet course.
“It is my honour and gratitude today to present to you a total of 305 Officer Cadets (including 8 Air Force Pilots) 43 of whom women, who have successfully completed the 3-year Cadet Course intake 01/19-22 and six-month Professional/Specialist Officer Cadet course Intake 04/22 Short and all ready to commission today,” Brig Gen Byaruhanga announced.
The trainees on the short Cadet source were selected from UPDF In-Service soldiers majority of whom were specialists such as Medics, Engineers, Lawyers, Pilots, IT personnel and Logisticians, among others.
The degree program tapped on the best applicants that completed and passed UACE. The 4th Intake will begin their course in a few weeks’ time
During the course, the graduates were taken through training in basic military skills and knowledge, several tactical field training exercises and drills, which culminated in a combined arms exercise.
They also received external lecturers from Senior Military and Government officials to familiarise them with current political trends and leadership at different levels. “I am happy to inform you Sir, that the training objectives of the two courses have all been achieved.
The trainees/graduates are now equipped with knowledge, skills and traditions to follow, having completed Officer Cadet Training packages from instructors and support staff of this academy,” he added. He appealed to the graduates to always keep themselves relevant to their call to service in their long journey of career development.
He reminded the UPDF officers of their duty to always keep the oath of allegiance they took and never sham the flag of their country.
He thanked HE the President and Commander in Chief of the UPDF, the top UPDF leadership with special recognition of the Chief of Defence Forces, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Personnel and Administration, Chief of Training and Recruitment, Chief Political Commissar, Commanders of specialised units, Wazalendo SACCO leadership and all infantry Division Operations and Training Officers who presented lectures to the trainees while on course.
He recognised and thanked all parents of the graduating officers for allowing their children to contribute to national service and supporting the graduating officers throughout the course.
The UMA was relocated from Jinja in 2007. It trains both national and international students.
The function was also attended by the Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veterans Hon Huda Oleru, MPs, Deputy Commander Land forces Maj Gen Sam Okiding, Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, representatives from Uganda Police, Uganda Prisons Service and religious leaders, among others.
