By Charlotte Kagumaho Nyebaza,
SECURITY
Colonel Ankunda was the top graduate from the second cohort of the NDC program. This suggests he performed exceptionally well academically and/or demonstrated strong leadership during his studies at the defense college.
Colonel Kamugira was awarded the Commandant’s Research Paper award. This indicates he produced an outstanding research paper, likely on the topic of “Foreign Aid Dependency, Development, and National Security in Uganda from 1990 to 2023”. The depth and quality of his research paper was recognized by the NDC leadership.
In a remarkable departure from tradition, the runner-up position in the cohort was secured by a civilian attendee – Assistant Commissioner Arthur Blick Kamya from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. This distinction marks the inaugural occasion wherein a civil servant has participated in and excelled during an NDC (National Defence College) course offering in Uganda. This development underscores the increasing integration and collaborative engagement between the military and civilian defense/security establishments within the country.
In a further testament to the caliber of graduates from this cohort of the National Defence College, several other distinguished military officers were also recognized for their exemplary performance. Alongside Colonels Ankunda and Kamugira, the prestigious accolades were bestowed upon Colonel Ronald Kagyenyi, Colonel Dr. Victoria Nekesa, and Colonel Paul Muwonge – all of whom demonstrated remarkable achievements amongst the 21 students completing the program.
The graduation ceremony, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni himself, served as a platform to not only celebrate the academic and professional accomplishments of the NDC graduates, but also to underscore the critical role they must play in the nation’s ongoing socio-economic transformation. In his address, the President emphatically cautioned the newly minted military and security leaders against the scourge of corruption, which he identified as a pervasive issue afflicting both the civil service and segments of the armed forces.
The President’s stern admonition underscores the gravity of the corruption challenge and the imperative for these highly-trained graduates to cultivate the utmost integrity and ethical standards in their future conduct. As the country strives to achieve its developmental objectives, the President has made it clear that the NDC alumni must serve as beacons of accountability and good governance, setting the tone for the transformation envisioned for Uganda.
In his address, President Museveni lauded the remarkable evolution of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) into a formidable and strategically-oriented military institution. The President attributed this success to the armed forces’ diligent analysis and comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted situations and challenges facing the nation.
Maj Gen Francis B Okello, the esteemed Commandant of the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U), commended the graduating cohort for their steadfast commitment and dedication throughout the rigorous program. He commended the students for their willingness to share their diverse experiences and perspectives, which undoubtedly enriched the academic discourse and collaborative learning environment.
Furthermore, the Commandant expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the leadership of the UPDF, the Busoga kingdom, as well as the distinguished facilitators from Makerere University and the Jinja-based Civil Service College. Maj Gen Okello highlighted the unwavering support provided by these key stakeholders, without which the successful execution of the NDC-U curriculum and the cultivation of these exceptional military and security leaders would not have been possible.
This multifaceted recognition, from the highest levels of political and military leadership, underscores the profound significance of the NDC-U program in shaping the future cadre of strategic thinkers and decision-makers within Uganda’s defence and security apparatus. The graduated officers are now poised to leverage their advanced knowledge and honed analytical capabilities to safeguard the nation’s interests and contribute to the broader socio-economic development agenda.
Established in 2021 by the visionary leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U) has emerged as a preeminent institution offering strategic-level joint defense and security sector education to senior military officers, national security professionals, and future leaders. This newly inaugurated program serves as a crucial platform for cultivating the next generation of strategic thinkers and decision-makers within Uganda’s defense and security architecture.
The graduation ceremony was graced by the presence of an esteemed gathering of dignitaries, including Minister of State for Veteran Affairs Hudah Oleru Abason, Members of Parliament Diana Mutasingwa and Tim Lwanga, Deputy Inspector General of Government Ann Twinomugisha Muhaire, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Rosette Byengoma, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vincent Bagire.
Furthermore, the event was attended by a distinguished cohort of senior military leadership, comprising Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Commander of the Air Force Lt Gen Charles Okidi, Managing Director of Uganda Air Cargo Lt Gen (Rtd) Nakibus Lakara, and Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka, Maj Gen George Igumba, among other high-ranking officers of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The presence of this esteemed assembly of political, diplomatic, and military dignitaries underscores the paramount importance accorded to the NDC-U program and the crucial role it plays in shaping the strategic capabilities and leadership qualities of Uganda’s future security and defense professionals. The graduates of this inaugural cohort are now poised to leverage their enhanced knowledge and expertise to safeguard the nation’s interests and contribute to the broader vision of socio-economic transformation.
