The Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Brig. Abdul Rugumayo has called on legal officers to prioritize career development over lobbying for deployment opportunities.

Speaking at the pass-out ceremony for legal officers at the Legal Training Center (LTC) in Jinja City on Saturday, Rugumayo emphasized the importance of preparing oneself with the necessary knowledge and skills to seize opportunities.

“Opportunities await only those who have prepared themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills,” Rugumayo stated, addressing the 27-course participants, including three women, who underwent a three-week intensive training. The course covered essential areas such as criminal law, scene of crime management, examination of witnesses, and national laws, aimed primarily at prosecutors and investigators from various UPDF units.

Rugumayo highlighted that the UPDF systems are designed to favour the career growth of all officers, with the overarching goal of enhancing the quality of service to the nation. He warned that the practice of lobbying for positions could undermine future career prospects and the integrity of the force.

“The habit of using lobbying threatens your future career. Our systems are structured to support your professional development, ensuring you can serve the country effectively,” he added.

He also urged the training centre’s teaching staff to include a greater number of officers from the same units in their programs. This strategy, he believes, will increase their capacity to provide sound legal advice to commanders and streamline efforts to uphold the force’s core values.

“When systems are streamlined to enable legal officers to exercise their mandates, it will expedite the efforts to maintain the force’s core values,” Rugumayo asserted.

In his concluding remarks, Rugumayo cautioned legal officers against engaging in corruption, discrimination, favouritism, and other unethical practices that could hinder their performance in the justice, law, and order sectors.

Susan Mwanga, Commandant of the Legal Training Center, echoed Rugumayo’s sentiments, encouraging the graduates to continuously seek knowledge to excel in their roles.

“Legal officers should showcase their expertise and continually seek out knowledge because legal matters are dynamic,” she advised.