BUIKWE — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has renewed his call for deeper economic and political integration of Africa, saying a united continent is critical to strengthening strategic security and defence capabilities.
Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), made the remarks on Friday while presiding over the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U) in Njeru, Buikwe District.
A total of 21 participants graduated from the strategic leadership course, including 20 senior military officers and one civilian official from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Congratulating the graduates, President Museveni challenged them to contribute to policies that promote Uganda’s socio-economic transformation while advancing regional and continental cooperation.
“I congratulate you for finishing this course,” Museveni said.
Three Pillars of Strategic Security
Museveni outlined three key areas he believes are essential for Uganda and Africa to withstand future security challenges: socio-economic transformation, education and continental integration.
He said Uganda’s first priority should be transforming the economy by moving citizens into productive sectors that generate wealth.
“If you want to defend Africa, the economy of Uganda must undergo socio-economic transformation whereby all the peasants and the bayaaye must disappear, and we have a new society. If not, we shall not be able to defend Africa,” he said.
The President said economic transformation requires citizens to participate in the money economy through four key sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
He noted that a significant portion of Ugandans remain outside the formal money economy.
“When we last checked, we had 67 percent in the money economy and 33 percent still working only for the stomach. The whole population must join the money economy in the four sectors,” he said.
Museveni also emphasised the importance of universal education, saying literacy, numeracy and skills development are essential foundations for economic growth.
“Everybody must get education in literacy, numeracy and skills. Once you have done that, the economy will grow, and we shall be richer,” he said.
Africa Must Overcome Fragmentation
The President, however, cautioned that economic prosperity alone is insufficient to guarantee national security.
He argued that political fragmentation has limited Africa’s ability to develop advanced defence capabilities and compete with major global powers.
Museveni reiterated his long-standing support for the East African Federation and wider African integration, saying unity would allow countries to pool resources and strengthen their strategic capabilities.
“Because of the political fragmentation of Africa, Uganda doesn’t have an ocean. It is Kenya and Tanzania that have access to the sea, so Uganda does not have a navy or the resources to go to space and develop a capable air force,” he said.
He said a united East African region would have greater capacity to defend itself on land, sea, air and space.
“If we achieve the East African Federation, no one can defeat us because we shall have access to the sea, develop a navy, strengthen our air force and build a bigger economy,” Museveni said.
He cited countries such as the United States, China, Russia and India as examples of nations that have invested heavily in strategic capabilities, including space technology.
Museveni Pledges UGX50 Billion for NDC-U Expansion
During the ceremony, President Museveni pledged UGX50 billion towards the expansion and modernisation of the National Defence College-Uganda.
The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, said the graduation reflected government’s commitment to strengthening strategic leadership, professional military education and national security capacity.
She praised President Museveni and the UPDF leadership for improving soldiers’ welfare through salary enhancements, better accommodation and infrastructure development.
“These are clear demonstrations of your commitment to building a motivated, professional and capable force,” she said.
Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, congratulated the graduates and commended President Museveni’s leadership in transforming the UPDF into what he described as a modern and professional force.
“I congratulate all the graduates of Cohort Four, their families and their respective institutions for this remarkable achievement,” Okiding said.
NDC-U Produces Strategic Leaders
The Commandant of the National Defence College-Uganda, Brig Gen Alex Olupot, said the graduation demonstrated Uganda’s commitment to developing leaders capable of addressing complex national, regional and global security challenges.
He said NDC-U was established four years ago to prepare senior military officers, public servants and selected foreign participants for leadership at strategic levels.
“The presence of His Excellency underscores the strategic importance that the Government of Uganda attaches to professional military education, national security and the development of strategic leaders capable of navigating the increasingly complex security environment of the 21st century,” Olupot said.
The commandant explained that Cohort Four initially admitted 22 participants, including three Brigadier Generals, 18 Colonels and one civilian officer, but one participant withdrew during the programme due to strategic considerations.
The graduates undertook advanced studies in strategic studies, research, policy analysis, national study programmes and international study tours in Nigeria and Algeria.
Outstanding academic performers were recognised during the ceremony, with Brig Gen Joseph Freddy Onnata and Col. David Okumu emerging as the best overall students.
Brig Gen Olupot thanked President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for supporting professional military education and strengthening Uganda’s strategic leadership capacity.