President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has renewed his call for the economic and political integration of Africa, describing it as essential for guaranteeing the continent’s long-term strategic security and defence capabilities.
The President made the remarks today while presiding over the graduation ceremony of 21 participants—20 senior military officers and one public servant from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs—at the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U) in Njeru, Buikwe District.
Congratulating the graduates on successfully completing the prestigious strategic leadership course, President Museveni challenged them to champion policies that strengthen Uganda’s socio-economic transformation while advancing continental integration.
“I congratulate you for finishing this course,” the President said.
He outlined three key pillars necessary for securing Uganda and Africa against current and future threats, beginning with socio-economic transformation.
“In summary, if you want to defend Africa, I can think of three points. 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.
President Museveni explained that socio-economic transformation can only be achieved by ensuring every citizen joins the money economy through four productive sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“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 noted.
He added that universal education remains another critical driver of transformation.
“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.
Despite stressing the importance of economic growth, President Museveni cautioned that prosperity alone cannot guarantee strategic security.
He therefore reiterated his long-standing advocacy for the East African Federation and broader African economic and political integration, arguing that fragmented states cannot adequately defend themselves in the modern security environment.
“But then even if you are richer, how ready are you to defend Uganda in the four dimensions of warfare? 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. That’s how the third point of economic and political integration of Africa comes in. If you really want to defend Africa, you must work for economic and political integration of Africa,” he said.
According to the President, achieving the East African Federation would significantly strengthen regional defence capabilities.
“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. We shall develop the capacity to defend ourselves on land, in the air, at sea and in space,” he said.
He cited countries such as the United States, China, Russia and India as examples of nations that have invested heavily in advanced strategic capabilities, including space technology.
Shs50 Billion Pledged for NDC-U:
To further strengthen strategic military education, President Museveni pledged Shs50 billion towards the expansion and modernisation of the National Defence College-Uganda.
The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, described the graduation as a reflection of President Museveni’s unwavering commitment to strategic leadership development, professional military education and national security excellence.
She praised the President’s visionary leadership and continued investment in the welfare of UPDF personnel.
“I also wish to express my special appreciation to Your Excellency and to the Chief of Defence Forces for the significant steps taken to improve the welfare of UPDF personnel through salary enhancements, improved accommodation and continued infrastructure development across barracks and training institutions. 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, commended President Museveni for providing the leadership that has transformed the UPDF into a modern, professional, capable and ideologically grounded force.
“I congratulate all the graduates of Cohort Four, their families and their respective institutions for this remarkable achievement,” Lt. Gen. Okiding said.
The Commandant of the National Defence College-Uganda, Brig. Gen. Alex Olupot, thanked President Museveni for officiating at the ceremony, saying his presence reflected the government’s commitment to developing strategic leaders capable of addressing increasingly complex national, regional and global security challenges.
“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,” Brig. Gen. Olupot said.
He noted that the ceremony represented much more than the award of academic qualifications.
“It is a celebration of intellectual growth, national service and leadership transformation,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Olupot explained that NDC-U was established four years ago to prepare senior military officers, public servants and selected foreign participants for leadership at the highest strategic levels.
He revealed that Cohort Four initially admitted 22 participants—comprising three Brigadier Generals, 18 Colonels and one civilian officer from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. However, one participant withdrew midway due to strategic considerations, leaving 21 graduates.
Throughout the programme, participants undertook advanced studies in strategic studies, research and policy analysis, participated in national study programmes and completed international study tours in Nigeria and Algeria.
Brig. Gen. Olupot also expressed gratitude to President Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for their continued support towards strengthening professional military education.
The ceremony also recognised outstanding academic performance, with Brig. Gen. Joseph Freddy Onnata and Col. David Okumu emerging as the best overall students.
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