The Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) 3 Infantry Division on Monday passed out 175 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) who successfully completed a three-month intensive Ideological and Leadership Course at the Division headquarters in Moroto District.
The officers, drawn from various units across the 3 Infantry Division and affiliated formations, underwent rigorous training designed to sharpen their command skills, deepen ideological clarity, and reinforce discipline as they prepare for higher responsibilities within the force.
The course was conducted under the broader framework of Operation Usalama Kwa Wote, a UPDF-led initiative that has been instrumental in supporting peace, stability, and disarmament efforts in the Karamoja sub-region. The operation has been credited with reducing cattle rustling, curbing illegal firearms proliferation, and restoring civilian authority in the region.
Beginning of Renewed Responsibility.
Presiding over the pass-out ceremony, the Division Commander, Major General Wilberforce Serunkuma, described NCOs as the “backbone of the army” and urged the graduates to embrace their new leadership roles with discipline, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to duty.
“Today marks not the end of training but the beginning of renewed responsibility in your careers. The successful completion of this course is a testament to your commitment, hard work, and readiness to take on even bigger responsibilities in the force,” Maj Gen Serunkuma told the assembled officers and guests.
He emphasized that the UPDF’s strength lies in its junior leadership, noting that NCOs are the critical link between the high command and the ordinary soldier.
“You supervise, you mentor, you enforce standards. When you fail, the force feels it immediately. When you excel, the force becomes unbeatable,” he said.
Ideology as Foundation of Service.
Maj Gen Serunkuma underscored the importance of ideology in military service, reminding the graduates that the UPDF was founded on clear principles that must continue to guide its conduct and mission in serving the country.
“The UPDF is not a mercenary force. It is a people’s army built on ideology — patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy. Without ideology, a soldier is just an armed man. With ideology, he becomes a liberator and protector of the people,” he stated.
He challenged the NCOs to be exemplary in their units, to fight corruption, avoid subversive tendencies, and to live by the UPDF Code of Conduct both in and out of uniform.
Call to Cascade Knowledge.
The Deputy Division Commander, Brigadier General Allan Kyangungu, commended the Division Commander for supporting and prioritizing the training despite operational commitments in the region. He said the course was a deliberate investment in building a professional force capable of handling modern security challenges.
Brig Gen Kyangungu encouraged the graduating officers to transfer the knowledge, skills, and values acquired during the three months to their fellow soldiers in their respective units. “Do not keep this training to yourselves. You are now instructors by practice. Go and multiply this knowledge. That is how we build a strong, ideologically upright force,” he said.
Civil Leaders Urge Discipline.
Representing the civil authority, Moroto Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Justine Tuko, congratulated the officers and thanked the UPDF for its continued role in pacifying Karamoja. He urged the graduates to remain disciplined, avoid acts of desertion, and jealously guard their military careers.
“A soldier without discipline is a danger to himself and to society. The government has invested in you. Your families are looking at you. Do not throw away your career because of alcohol, corruption, or indiscipline,” Mr Tuko said. He pledged continued cooperation between the district leadership and the UPDF in consolidating peace in the sub-region.
Outstanding Trainees Recognized.
The ceremony recognized exceptional performance among the course participants. Those decorated included:
Lance Corporal Okurut Jacob — Best Ranger, for outstanding field craft, endurance, and tactical application during practical exercises.
Private Odongo Ramathan — Best in Drill, for exemplary turnout, precision, and command on the parade ground.
Private Murungi Precious— Best Female Trainee, for resilience and all-round performance throughout the course.
Sergeant Ojede Alfred — Best Overall Trainee, for consistent academic excellence, leadership, and discipline across all assessed areas.
The awardees received certificates and gifts from the Division leadership amid applause from fellow officers and guests.
Sports Build Cohesion.
The pass-out ceremony coincided with the conclusion of the Commanders’ Easter Cup, an annual sports event aimed at building cohesion, physical fitness, and esprit de corps among troops in the division.
In the football category, the 3 Division Instructors emerged champions after a tightly contested final, while the Artillery Brigade team finished second. In volleyball, the Other Ranks team defeated the team from the Prisons Corrections Cadre (PCC) to claim the title.
Maj Gen Serunkuma said sports remain a key component of military training because they teach teamwork, endurance, and the will to win — qualities every soldier needs in operation.
Wide Attendance.
The event was attended by senior and junior officers from the UPDF, representatives from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, and the Internal Security Organization, as well as local leaders and invited guests. The presence of sister security agencies underscored the joint approach to security that Operation Usalama Kwa Wote, promotes in Karamoja.
The 175 NCOs now return to their units across the 3 Infantry Division’s area of responsibility, which covers the greater Karamoja sub-region and parts of Teso and Sebei, to take
up duties with renewed ideological grounding and leadership skills.
NCO
A Non-Commissioned Officer in the UPDF is a soldier who has risen through the ranks to a leadership position but does not hold a commission from the President who is the Commander-in Chief (CiC).
NCOs are the backbone of the army because they lead troops on the ground and enforce discipline day-to-day.
