The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has passed out Non-Commissioned Officers who completed the Instructors Course Level III and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Course at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) in Jinja.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Joint Staff Human Resource Management, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, said the courses were a strategic investment in building a professional and modern force.
“This training phase is critical in reinforcing patriotism, professionalism and leadership within the UPDF,” Maj Gen Kinalwa said.
He emphasised that non-commissioned officers are the backbone of the force and must be adequately prepared to command and instruct others.
He said continuous training is a vital human resource investment that ensures sustainability and continuity of the force, and urged the officers to uphold the UPDF’s high standards with humility and integrity.
The Jinja Cantonment Commander, Brig Gen Emmanuel Kanyesigye, underscored the importance of training in developing disciplined leaders capable of managing soldiers, and called for ideological clarity anchored in the UPDF core values.
The Commandant of the NCO Academy, Brig Gen Michael Ssozi Ssesanga, said the training had met its objectives of producing leaders with the capacity to train and lead others with purpose.
“These officers will play a key role in shaping the future of the UPDF through human resource development,” Brig Gen Ssesanga said, and urged them to remain focused and serve as good ambassadors of the academy by applying the skills acquired in the field.
Outstanding performers included: L/Cpl Emuron Fredric Nathan – best overall in the Instructors Course; WOII Alphonse Oucho – best in leadership; Pte Awadi Sharon excelled in teaching practice, and Pte Moita Michael was the best in drill. For the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Cpl Agidra Sunday was the best overall, L/Cpl Niwamanya Evalyne was the best in the field, L/Cpl Mulindwa Richard was the best in class, while Pte Lampe Justine emerged the best in marksmanship.
The ceremony was attended by senior officers, including Brig Gen Dr Stephen Kusasira, Head of Faculty Policy and Strategy, Col Ednan Kaale, Chief Instructor at the Junior Staff College, Col David Watasa, Chief Instructor for International Peace Support Operations, and Lt Col Tonny Barnard Okol, Commandant of the Counter Intelligence Training School in Lugazi, among others.
