Museveni passes out 11,947 UPDF recruits, hails CDF for improved soldiers welfare

The President commended Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the UPDF High Command for prioritising the welfare of soldiers, saying a motivated force is essential for maintaining a professional and effective military.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni inspects a guard of honour during the passing-out ceremony of 11,947 UPDF recruits at Kaweweta Military Training School in Nakaseke District.

Nakaseke, Uganda: President Museveni has commended Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for improving the welfare of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel, as 11,947 recruits successfully completed military training at Kaweweta Military Training School.

The recruits included 1,002 trainees from the Central African Republic (CAR), reflecting the growing military cooperation between Uganda and its regional partners.

Presiding over the pass-out ceremony on Thursday, Museveni congratulated the recruits for successfully completing their rigorous military training and urged them to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism throughout their service.

“Today, I passed out more than 19,000 UPDF recruits, including 1,002 from the Central African Republic, at Kaweweta. I congratulated them and reminded them that discipline, integrity, good health, and rigorous training are the foundation of a capable army,” Museveni said.

The President used the occasion to commend Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the UPDF High Command for prioritising the welfare of soldiers, saying a motivated force is essential for maintaining a professional and effective military.

“I also congratulated the CDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the UPDF leadership for improving soldiers’ welfare,” Museveni said.

The President has in recent years consistently emphasised improving the welfare of serving soldiers and veterans through better accommodation, healthcare, salaries, and logistical support.

Museveni said Uganda’s military strength is closely tied to the country’s economic performance, stressing that national security and economic transformation must progress together.

“In this Kisanja of No More Sleep, we must continue working hard. A strong army depends on a strong economy. We shall continue building Uganda through wealth creation, industrialisation and stronger defence capabilities,” he said.

He reiterated government’s commitment to accelerating wealth creation, industrialisation and infrastructure development to support both national prosperity and defence readiness.

The CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, addressing the new UPDF recruits

Calls for integrity in grassroots elections

The President also used the ceremony to urge Ugandans to elect leaders of integrity in the upcoming Local Council I (LCI) and Women Council elections. He called on wananchi to reject corruption and support leaders committed to serving their communities.

“As we prepare for the LCI and Women Council elections, I urge wananchi to elect leaders of integrity who will fight corruption and serve the people,” Museveni said.

The Electoral Commission is preparing to conduct the nationwide grassroots elections later this month as part of its 2026 electoral roadmap.

Kaweweta Military Training School in Nakaseke District is one of the UPDF’s premier recruit training institutions. Besides training Ugandan soldiers, the facility also hosts military trainees from friendly countries under regional defence cooperation programmes.