“Remain loyal to the president,” 105 UPDF junior officers instructed

Brig Gen Chris Bagonza, the Chief of Staff Land Force (COS-LF), on June 12 officiated as chief guest during the pass-out of Grade III Staff Course Intake 39/26 at the Junior Staff College in Jinja.

Speaking during the pass-out, Brig Gen Bagonza noted that the day marks a milestone, reflecting several months of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, critical thinking and intellectual growth.

He commended the Chief of Defence Forces and Special Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations (CDF and SPA/SO) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for making training a priority in the transformation of the UPDF into a modern army.

“Training is for utilisation,” he noted, adding that the skills acquired will be needed somewhere when duty calls.

He stated that the exercise strengthens professional competency and sharpens an officer’s ability to operate under dynamic and demanding operational environments.

The course also instils values of teamwork, resilience and strategic thinking abilities to operate under new and emerging situations.

To the graduands, he reminded them that the course is not the end of learning but the beginning of bigger responsibilities.

He also urged them to be exemplary, respect themselves and nurture others for continuity of the force.

He said: “Lead with intelligence, discipline and remain loyal to the President and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, plus adherence to the Constitution.”

The COS-LF also implored junior officers to be loyal and continue guarding the peace and stability in the country and beyond.

“Get involved in productive activities,” he stressed, further urging them to serve with honour, humility, courage and professionalism.

He mentioned that the presence of poverty in certain areas saw the emergence of the ADF, which manipulated the situation.

“By manipulating poor communities, ADF came to fruition,” he observed, hence the need to fight poverty.

The Commandant of the Junior Staff College, Brig Gen Chris Ogwal, commended the defence leadership for supporting the course and congratulated the new graduating officers for successfully completing the course, which is hinged on discipline, determination and commitment to professional excellence.

He applauded the CDF for continuously supporting the training of officers at tactical and operational levels, adding that the collective efforts from the defence leadership made their work easier.

Brig Gen Ogwal said their accomplishment reflects not only individual effort and perseverance but also readiness to assume greater responsibilities in service to the defence forces and the nation.

He added that all 105 officers, including 16 female officers, demonstrated dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty throughout the training period.

“The completion of the Grade III Staff Course marks a significant milestone in the professional growth and military development of every graduate,” he said, adding that the course equips officers with the ability to perform confidently in both combat operations and operations other than war, through judgement, proper coordination and adaptability.