Museveni Praises Educated Recruits as UPDF Quality Improves

Summary:

• President Museveni commends the increasing quality of UPDF due to educated recruits. 89 graduate scientists complete basic military course, trained in various fields. Museveni highlights the importance of personal conviction in joining the army. Brig Gen Bainababo notes 23 participants opt to continue military training.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed pride in the increasing quality of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), attributing it to the influx of educated individuals willingly enlisting in the force. Addressing a group of 89 graduate scientists who completed a two-month basic military course, Museveni emphasized the importance of educated professionals from diverse academic backgrounds joining the army, which was previously perceived as a haven for academic underachievers.

“We highly value the presence of educated youth, particularly those with scientific expertise, within our institutions. The inclusion of educated individuals, including those from social sciences, has notably enhanced the caliber of our armed forces,” remarked Museveni.

The training program for graduate scientists was conducted at the Sera-Kasenyi Training School and encompassed participants with backgrounds in computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, software engineering, telecommunications, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and others.

Reflecting on his own experience, Museveni recalled training 28 cadres in Mozambique, among whom only three, including Gen Saleh, Gen Ivan Korea, and Brig Gen Omule, survived and significantly contributed to the establishment of Uganda’s formidable military.

“These 28 individuals laid the foundation for our robust army; their training and subsequent mentorship of others have been instrumental. I extend my congratulations to the scientists who have chosen to serve their country through the military. I urge you not to join the armed forces out of coercion but rather out of personal conviction,” advised Museveni.

Brig Gen Charity Bainababo, the deputy commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), highlighted that the scientists underwent training in military law, political education, physical fitness, weapons proficiency, and introductory Kiswahili. Out of the 89 participants, 23 have expressed interest in continuing military training and will be deployed accordingly within the army.

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