82 UPDF Soldiers Graduate From Makerere University During The 74th Graduation
A grand total of 82 officers, proudly representing the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), recently celebrated a remarkable academic feat as they donned their graduation gowns at Makerere University.This auspicious occasion, woven into the fabric of Makerere University’s 74th graduation ceremony, which happened from January 29th onwards, reverberated with the resounding commitment of both seasoned veterans and great talents within the UPDF to elevate their intellectual prowess in realms ranging from defense strategies to medical sciences.
Amidst the number of graduates, stand out the valiant souls who moved through the arduous channels of the National Defence Course (NDC) and the esteemed Past Staff Course (PSC). Beyond personal triumphs, this momentous event etches a historic chapter for the UPDF, as a notable cohort of officers basks in the glory of receiving accolades from Makerere University for the very first time, enriching the annals of the force.
Among the group, a pioneering group emerges from NDC-U’s inaugural intake, alongside the stalwarts from intake 17 of the epoch 2021-2022, coming from the Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka.Their scholarly odyssey has led them to conquer diverse academic landscapes, encompassing the zenith of master’s degrees in security strategy (NDC-Uganda holders), the esteemed realm of defense and studies (Senior Command and Staff Course – SCSC Kimaka laureates), and the foundational grounds of ordinary diplomas in strategy and warfare from SCSC.Additionally, the heralded officers from the Uganda Military Academy Kabamba stand poised to receive their laurels in defense studies, signifying a collective dedication to scholarly pursuits deeply intertwined with the ethos of national defense.
The symbiotic relationship between these military bastions and Makerere University stands as a testament to a shared vision, one that champions the evolution of a modern, adept, and proficient force primed to combat the multifaceted challenges of contemporary crime, in alignment with the strategikc imperatives delineated by UPDF’s Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Yoweri Museveni.
The graduation spectacle served as a stage for luminaries within the NDC-U echelon, featuring stalwarts like Brig. Gen. Dr. Stephen Kusasira, a beacon of erudition serving as the senior directing staff and head of research at the college; Brig. Gen. Daniel Mugumya Kakono, a formidable commander at the helm of the Field Artillery Division nestled in Masindi; and Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso, a luminary who once graced the role of UPDF spokesperson and now steers the helm as the Chief of Staff at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre in Jinja.Moreover, the ceremony embraced officers from neighboring Tanzania and Kenya, painting a poignant picture of collaborative camaraderie in the realm of regional defense and security endeavors.