Katakwi District | THE BLACK EXAMINER | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who also serves as the Commander in Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), presided over the graduation of 4,212 Local Defence Personnel (LDP) at Olilim Training School in Katakwi District. The ceremony took place on Friday, October 13, 2023. During the event, Gen. Museveni extended his congratulations to the trainees and the Ugandan populace for their collective efforts in strengthening the armed forces and other vital institutions.
Gen. Museveni noted the educational achievements of the trainees, highlighting that almost all of the 4,212 individuals possessed at least O’ level certificates, with 500 of them being university graduates. He shared the success story of a young man who received recognition for holding a degree in Industrial Chemistry. The President underlined the transformation of recruitment standards in the army, remarking that it had evolved from primarily accepting Senior Four candidates to now favoring graduates, a development that bodes well for the efficiency and effectiveness of the armed forces.
Gen. Museveni also addressed the improvement in security within the Teso Subregion, attributing it to effective leadership and capacity utilization. He urged commanders to optimize the strengths of the UPDF and avoid unnecessary actions that waste soldiers’ time.
Furthermore, he discussed the government’s efforts to address security issues caused by the Pokot and Turkanas from Kenya, assuring the people of Karamoja and Teso that they should concentrate on development.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, President Museveni recognized outstanding students from the training course. The Vice President, Major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, commended President Museveni for his role in professionalizing the UPDF and ensuring the stability of Uganda. She also acknowledged the President’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts in African countries, which have facilitated access to regional markets for Ugandan products.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, praised the President’s commitment to building a strong and reliable army. He encouraged the trainees to remain loyal to their country and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF), Lt Gen. Peter Elwelu, assured Gen. Museveni that the UPDF would continue to follow his strategic guidance in maintaining peace and security through continuous training and readiness to address security challenges.
Lt Col. Eria Mugasa, the Commandant of Olilim Training School, reported that the 4,303 trainees had undergone rigorous training and discipline during their 58-week program, with 91 trainees choosing to leave the training for various reasons.
The pass-out ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including ministers, members of parliament, and UPDF leadership.
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