President Museveni passes out 4,325 UPDF recruits a head of 2021 general elections

President Yoweri Museveni passes out 4,325 recruits a head of 2021 general elections. Whisper Eye Reports.

The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), H.E General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has passed out 4325 recruits of intake 16/19-20 who successfully completed their basic military training at Recruits Training School (RTS), Kaweweta, Nakaseke district.

The passed out included 636 female soldiers, the largest number ever recorded in a single intake.

In his address, President Museveni congratulated the new soldiers upon successfully completing their training and advised them to live responsible lives.

“Remember life is very important and your health too. Please don’t spoil your lives with alcohol and umalaya (promiscuity),” says President Museveni.

Adding that with self-discipline, passed out soldiers can go very far in the Army.

The President noted that the UPDF is now a professional institution that attracts citizens of various academic qualifications and professions.

He was delighted by the quality of education of the new soldiers.

“Among the new soldiers are a number of master’s degree holders, Degree, Diploma, Certificate and other professional certificate holders,” he explained.

“When we have an educated army, teaching is easy; they can easily learn,” said Gen Museveni.

He re-echoed the need to pay scientists higher salaries and promised to make a follow up to that effect.

Mr Museveni emphasized that the country needs scientists to defend the health of the citizens as well as boost development through value addition, industrial production among other values that can be accrued from well-motivated scientists.

The Minister of State for Defence in charge of General Duties, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Engola thanked the parents of the new soldiers for entrusting the UPDF with their children for national service.

Col Engola urged the soldiers to ensure they put their duty first and other things follow.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General David Muhoozi told the newly passed-out soldiers to remain loyal, patient and enthusiastically vigilant to defend the country.

Gen Muhoozi hailed the Commandant and instructors of Kaweweta Recruits Training School (KRTS) for a job well done in producing high quality soldiers within the stipulated timeframe.

He appreciated the President for his continued guidance and giving direction towards refining the professionalization and capacity building in the UPDF.

He noted that over the years, the UPDF has built capacity to respond to both military and non-military threats.

“Asides from ensuring the country’s security, the UPDF has been central in disaster control such as floods, locusts and COVID-19. As we continue developing capacity through training and equipping, we will be able to do more,” said Gen Muhoozi.

The function has come at the time when Uganda is preparing for the controversial general elections, which is expected to be ‘scientific’ although the opposition is opposing the Electoral Commission (EC) recommendations over a said ‘Scientific election’.