A grand total of 82 officers hailing from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recently celebrated their academic achievements as they graduated from Makerere University. This significant milestone, marked during Makerere University’s 74th graduation ceremony, which spanned from January 29th and concluded recently, showcases the dedication of both senior and junior officers to furthering their education in fields related to defense, security, and medical studies.
Distinguished among the graduates are officers who successfully completed rigorous programs such as the National Defence Course (NDC) and the Past Staff Course (PSC). The event not only signifies a personal accomplishment for these officers but also holds historical significance for the UPDF, with a notable number of officers receiving awards from Makerere University for the first time in its prestigious history.The cohort of graduating officers comprises the pioneering group of NDC-U intake one and intake 17 of the year 2021-2022 from the Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka.
Their academic pursuits have led them to obtain degrees across a spectrum of disciplines, encompassing master’s degrees in security strategy (NDC-Uganda holders), master’s degrees in defense and studies (Senior Command and Staff Course – SCSC Kimaka holders), and ordinary diplomas in strategy and warfare from SCSC.Furthermore, officers from the Uganda Military Academy Kabamba will be conferred with degrees in defense studies.
These military institutions maintain close affiliations with Makerere University, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering a modern, efficient, and professional force capable of tackling contemporary criminal challenges, in alignment with the directives of UPDF’s Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Yoweri Museveni.
The graduation ceremony shone a spotlight on distinguished personalities from NDC-U, including Brig. Gen. Dr. Stephen Kusasira, serving as the senior directing staff and head of research at the college; Brig. Gen. Daniel Mugumya Kakono, who commands the Field Artillery Division based in Masindi; and Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso, formerly the UPDF spokesperson and currently serving as the Chief of Staff at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre in Jinja. Notably, the ceremony also welcomed officers from neighboring Tanzania and Kenya, underscoring the collaborative spirit in regional defense and security initiatives.
