A total of Forty-four (44) Senior Army officers from several East African countries, on Thursday, graduated from the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC), Kimaka in Jinja City.
Two (2) of the officers were from the Burundi National Defence Forces, 02 from the Kenya Defence Forces, 02 from the Rwanda Defence Forces, 02 from South Sudan Peoples’ Defence Forces and 02 from the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces and the reminder 34 from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. The course had a total of 07females.
After weeks of training Graduands were awarded the College Badges, signifying the decoration Passed Staff College (psc) and the best students got gifts for their exemplary performance.
The graduation was graced by the attendance of the Chief of Personnel and Administration Maj Gen George Igumba, Commandant of the National Defence College -Uganda Maj Gen Francis Okello, Deputy Commander Air Force Maj Gen Charles Okidi, Commander Special Forces Command Brig Gen Felix Busizoori and the Chief of Staff Land Forces Brig Bob Ogiki.
Others were: the Commandant of Ecole Military in the DR Congo Lt Gen Banze Rubundji, Commandant of SCSC Karen (Kenya) Maj Gen Njiru Peter Mbogo, Commandant of Dr. Garang Memorial Military College Maj Gen Dr. Gatwech Gai, Commandant of SCSC Duluti in Tanzania, Brig Gen Ghuliki Sylvester Damian, Rwandan Defence Attachee’ to Uganda Col James Burabyo and South Korea Defence Attachee’ to Uganda Col Lee, among others.
In his remarks, as he presided over the function, the Minister of State for Defence Hon Jacob Markson Oboth congratulated graduands and noted that the only way to maintain a serving military is through continuous training.
He said the course postulates a new career and calls for new service, adding that the region faces multiple security challenges that require global combined responses.
He urged graduands to broaden their focus and respond to security issues in a strategic manner on top of being loyal and committed to service.
Hon Oboth commended the President and Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for building a strong and modern UPDF that is a cornerstone for the social economic transformation of the country.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi in a speech read by his Deputy Lt Gen Peter Elwelu noted that complex security challenges exist locally, regionally and internationally.
He implored the graduands to holistically look at issues to do with environmental degradation, climatic changes, security challenges and the current youth bulge.
Gen Mbadi indicated that strategic fighting exists under conditions of disruptive change.
The Deputy UPDF CDF Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu commended the solidarity expressed by all the EAC Partner States towards integration and also called upon the graduands to avoid being taken by surprise by being alert spiritually, militarily and physically. He explained that success in life is dependant on many factors other than education.
The Commandant of College Lt Gen Andrew Gutti congratulated the senior officers upon their successful completion of the one-year intensive course that prepares them for future command and staff positions.
He urged them to utilise the acquired knowledge and skills to address the existing asymmetric warfare, epidemics and environmental challenges.
“Not only have you undertaken military studies, but you have broadly covered issues to deal with policy and strategy, national and international affairs; which gives an advantage to handle complex international issues,” noted Lt Gen Gutti.
He implored the graduands to be patriotic, selfless, professional and disciplined as they execute their command and staff functions.
Facilitators from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Management Institute, International and Local Non-Governmental Organisations, Government Ministries Departments and Agencies, among others; provided the external training support to student officers.