Major General Jack Agonza Bakasumba, Chief of Staff – Land Forces, emphasized the crucial role of training in building the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) capacity to effectively intervene and address diverse situations. Speaking at the pass-out ceremony of 108 officers who completed the Junior Command and Staff Course (JCSC) at the Junior Command and Staff College in Gaddafi Barracks, Jinja City, Maj Gen Bakasumba highlighted the need to train rigorously to enhance the force’s cohesiveness and decisiveness.
Maj Gen Bakasumba commended the achievement of UPDF’s training strategies, emphasizing the force’s ability to train personnel across all military career courses. He challenged the officers to apply the acquired skills and knowledge in their deployments, emphasizing the importance of reflecting UPDF ethos and maintaining unquestionable integrity.
The Chief of Staff – Land Forces encouraged officers to embody determination, composure, and attentiveness to the views of others, driven by both contemporary and historical understanding of UPDF. He urged them to be loyal to their leaders and the country.
Brig Gen Chris Ogwal, the College Commandant, explained that the middle-level training for intermediate commanders and staff officers aimed to qualify personnel for effective deployment in peace, wartime, and operations other than war at unit and formation levels. He expressed confidence that the Directing Staff equipped the officers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools of analysis for effective performance.
Deputy Chief of Training and Recruitment, Brig Gen Fred Twinamastiko, representing the Chief of Training and Recruitment, appreciated the officers for completing the training journey and highlighted the utility of the acquired tools of analysis in future assignments.
The officers, including eight females, received Grade III certificates, and those who performed exceptionally were recognized with gifts. The graduation ceremony was attended by General and Senior officers of UPDF and Uganda Police Force, civil leaders, and spouses, among others.
