President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), on Monday presided over the commissioning of 413 officers who completed an intensive armour warfare course at the Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba, Mubende District.
The officers, comprising 74 armour platoon commanders, 122 armour technicians, and 217 armour crews, have undergone six months of rigorous training in mechanised and tactical combat operations.
Speaking at the pass-out ceremony, the President congratulated the graduates and challenged them to uphold professionalism and understand the evolving nature of modern warfare.
“I congratulate you on mastering the operation of tanks and related equipment in such a short time,” he said. “But more importantly, I urge you to focus on comprehensive packaging of military capability, combining both sciences, in terms of equipment, and art, in how you are organised to apply it.”
President Museveni noted that warfare is a dynamic field that requires both technical understanding and strategic adaptation.
He warned that evolving technologies, including the growing use of drones and modern air power, pose new threats to conventional armoured forces.
“The tank, powerful as it is, now faces fresh challenges from advanced air forces and UAVs. Therefore, your training must continuously adjust to these changes if you are to remain effective in the field,” he remarked.
In a candid reminder about personal and institutional discipline, the Head of State advised the officers to lead healthy lifestyles and reject corruption, which he described as a betrayal of the national cause.
“Love your life, avoid diseases, drugs and alcohol. But more importantly, look after your equipment. When you see a corrupt soldier, know that he is your enemy and the enemy of Uganda,” Museveni cautioned.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising the UPDF through investments in infrastructure, welfare and professional training.
“I am encouraged by the progress being made under the current leadership. The Chief of Defence Forces is focusing on infrastructure, training, and welfare, all critical components for a modern military,” Museveni said.
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, who also attended the ceremony, highlighted the UPDF’s vision to upgrade all military training facilities into fully-fledged centres of excellence.
He confirmed that 14 institutions, including the Armoured Warfare Training School Karama, had already achieved this milestone.
Lt. Gen. Okiding urged the graduates to uphold discipline, precision and integrity in their service.
Commandant of the training school, Brig. Gen. Peter Chandia said the graduates had attained competencies in mechanised warfare and tactical mobility, enabling them to deploy advanced military resources effectively on modern battlefields.
“These officers are now equipped to manage firepower and manoeuvre in today’s complex combat theatres,” Brig. Gen. Chandia said, while urging them to remain true to the UPDF’s values of patriotism and professionalism.
The ceremony also saw top-performing trainees receive awards in recognition of their outstanding performance during the course.
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