The UPDF has announced the passing out of officers and militants who completed a three-year Chinese and Arabic language training programme at the School of Defence Intelligence and Security (SODIS) in Migyera, Nakasongola district.

The graduates, under Intake 01/2024/2026, comprised personnel from UPDF formations and the Uganda Police Force. The programme was designed to equip them with foreign language skills to support their professional development, operational assignments and international engagements.

Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding was represented at the pass out by the Commander Reserve Force, Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, and described foreign language training as an important investment in national security, diplomacy and the advancement of Uganda’s national interests.

“Learning Chinese, Arabic, Swahili or French is a very important tool. It does not only allow us to communicate but is also important for our national security, national interests and foreign policy objectives,” he said.

Maj Gen Ssemwanga described the graduation as a significant milestone in developing specialised human resources to support the country’s security institutions and international engagements.

He urged the graduates to apply their acquired skills in their respective assignments, describing them as a bridge between intelligence, diplomacy and security.

He also cautioned them against complacency, noting that adversaries were equally investing in knowledge and skills.

“Remember the enemy is learning. We must learn much faster than the enemy,” he said.

He commended the Chinese and Arabic-speaking partners for supporting the programme and called for increased enrolment in subsequent intakes to meet the growing demand for foreign language specialists.

“We want to see the next intake having more people than we have here because the requirement to have these people is far, far much bigger,” he said.

Representing the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Brig Gen Humble Nicholas Nyesiga appreciated the UPDF leadership for ensuring that training institutions receive the necessary facilitation.

He said foreign language proficiency was increasingly important given the UPDF’s deployments in countries such as Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea, where personnel operate in different linguistic environments.

Col Michael Katongole Ssempija, representing Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, urged the graduates to apply their Chinese and Arabic language skills to strengthen military cooperation and international engagements.

The Commandant of the School of Defence Intelligence and Security, Col Ezra Kukundakwe, commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for promoting strategic relations between Uganda and other countries, particularly China, noting that such partnerships contribute to the development of the security sector.

He also appreciated the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Adviser, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and other stakeholders for their continued guidance and support.

Col Kukundakwe described the three-year programme as successful and congratulated the graduates on their discipline and commitment. He noted that foreign language proficiency had become part of UPDF doctrine and urged the graduates to lead by example.

Chinese language instructors Nyakato Eva and Seng Ge commended the UPDF and Uganda Police Force for entrusting them with the responsibility of teaching Chinese. They also applauded the students for their enthusiasm and commitment to learning.

The Arabic language instructor, Sheikh Salman Balamaze, commended President Museveni and Gen Kainerugaba for investing in specialised training and human resource development.

“The investment in human resource development is one of the most important investments any institution can make. Unwavering support for such initiatives is instrumental in promoting excellence, enhancing professional competence and equipping individuals with the skills necessary to serve the nation effectively,” he said.

He noted that the programme had strengthened participants’ language proficiency, communication skills and cultural awareness while expanding the pool of personnel with specialised competencies.