The Deputy Commander of Land Forces, Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, issued a stern warning to soldiers against negligent behaviour, emphasizing the critical need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of potential threats from enemy forces.

His remarks came during the graduation ceremony of 614 instructors who had completed an extensive eight-month leadership training course at the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy (NCOA) in Jinja.

The graduation marked a significant milestone as instructors from various units within the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) were equipped with a comprehensive skill set including military law, political education, instructional methods, arms proficiency, map reading, foot drills, and physical fitness, among other essential areas. Moreover, they honed their tactical gun skills through dynamic shooting exercises, selective shooting techniques, VIP protection protocols, and engagement strategies against both moving and static enemy forces.

Addressing the gathering, Maj Gen Takirwa underscored the vulnerability that negligence poses to the force’s operational effectiveness, cautioning soldiers to remain vigilant and maintain a high level of readiness.

He emphasized the importance of continuous skill enhancement, stressing that enemy forces often exploit any lapses in preparedness to launch attacks.

He further highlighted UPDF’s commitment to refining teaching methodologies and investing in human resource development, urging graduates to prioritize ongoing skill development as an integral aspect of self-improvement and readiness.

Brig Alex Olupot, joint chief of staff for training and doctrine hailed NCOA for shaping quality leadership capabilities among the troops, which is demonstrated in their performance within their respective units after completing training sessions at different levels.

Olupot insists that soldiers have continued to exhibit tactical skills necessary for the successful execution of any military operation and their abilities can be easily seen through deployments within the force’s units.

Meanwhile, NCOA commandant, Col Saad Katemba challenged user units to always authorize their troops for mentorship and retooling opportunities whenever called upon, as a means of enabling individual officers to excel in their military careers. Katemba further raised the challenge of limited training space and infrastructure, which affects the students’ enrollment numbers at NCOA.

“Other schools have been established in Gaddafi barracks overtime, warranting us to share the existing facilities, which has over reduced training space and dormitory infrastructure for the students enrolled at NCOA,” he says.

Katemba suggested that the force’s leadership should look for new space to foster NCOA’s expansion to accommodate standard training grounds and standard infrastructure.