President Museveni Officiates Pass-Out Ceremony For Tank Crew And Armoured Company Commanders
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), today presided over the pass-out ceremony for Armoured Company Commanders and tank crew trainees at the Mechanized Warfare College in Kalama, Mubende District.
In his address, President Museveni congratulated the trainees and emphasised the importance of combined arms in warfare. “Tanks have potential but also limitations. That’s why we talk of combined arms,” he stated. “Don’t use tanks alone. With war, you mix to get a good product.”
He reiterated the need for combined arms to effectively overpower the enemy in combat. The President also pledged continued efforts to improve the college’s infrastructure and encouraged civilians in Mubende to take advantage of government initiatives, such as the Parish Development Model, to improve their quality of life.
Hon Jacob Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, commended the President for prioritising army training and transforming Ugandans. Quoting American General Douglas MacArthur, he remarked, “In no other profession is a penalty for employing untrained personnel so appalling and also irrevocable as in the military.”
He added: “President Museveni, as a teacher, has been consistent in transforming Ugandans into what they want to be.”
Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of the Land Force and representative of the Chief of Defence Forces, underscored the importance of training in enhancing fighting capabilities and readiness. He attributed Uganda’s nationwide peace to the strength of its well-trained army. “You can’t have a capable army without training,” he explained, adding that the success of the UPDF in conflicts in DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and in neutralising insurgents in Karamoja is a testament to the effectiveness of combined arms training.
Lt Gen Muhanga also noted, “When you train hard, you pour less blood in battle,” emphasising that combined arms are key to successful operations.
Col James Kabeera, Commandant of the Mechanized Warfare College, thanked President Museveni for his role in building a professional army. He stated that the course had equipped the trainees with the skills needed to execute combined armed operations with precision, agility, and adaptability.
To the graduates, Col Kabeera stressed the importance of tactical leadership, stating, “Wars are won at the tactical level. Machines are important, but their success depends on the men behind the machines.”
Awards were presented to students who excelled in discipline, classwork, and fieldwork.
The ceremony was attended by UPDF Air Force Commander Lt Gen Charles Okidi, Division Commanders, General Officers, senior and junior officers, local leaders from the area, and religious leaders.
