📸 Be healthy, disciplined and corruption-free, Museveni tells army recruits

President Yoweri Museveni has asked the newly passed-out recruits to always be healthy, disciplined and corruption-free, and their future will be bright. 

“Look after your discipline and your health because if you don’t have good health, you can’t be a good soldier.  With good health, discipline and no corruption, your future will be bright. You are just beginning your journey, and you need to develop professionally by doing all the necessary courses,” President Museveni said.

The President, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), made the remarks today, Thursday (July 9), while addressing 11948 recruits that were being passed out at Kaweweta Military Basic Training School after 43 weeks of intense training. The recruits were from both Uganda and the Central African Republic.

Discipline and accountability will be insisted on, President Museveni said, adding that this is because the country needs to have a strong modern economy in the sectors of commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. (All Photos by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Museveni revealed that in the early years, while they were fighting in the bush, they would recruit people from the population, but because they were not used to a lot of physical exercise, they would complain to their parents that the army was mistreating them by making them roll in the mud, go through thick bushes, and do a lot of exercises.

“Some people complained that we used to treat our people like animals while asking why we would put someone’s child mad. I called the parents and asked them, can a Machete cut down a tree if not sharpened,” Museveni said, adding that when a machete is being sharpened, it makes some sound.

“When I talk about sharpening, I don’t mean beating or physical exertion but doing a lot of physical exercises so that you are sharp. If you don't give the soldiers enough, you are their enemy and the enemy of the country because they will not be able to defend their country and they will also die on the battlefield, Museveni said.

President Museveni used the same platform to congratulate the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for improving the welfare of the army, adding military structures.

Museveni noted that sharpening of a soldier is very crucial because when sharpened, they can cut anything that comes their way.

The President also noted that if it wasn’t for some people that "tend to sleep", Government would have achieved what the National Resistance Movement set out to do.

Discipline and accountability will be insisted on, President Museveni said, adding that this is because the country needs to have a strong modern economy in the sectors of commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.

“You can not have a strong army if you don’t have a strong economy. Anything that undermines the economy, undermines the security,” President Museveni said, adding that for modernisation, Uganda will also increase the production of its weapons for both defence and offence so that Uganda can stand on its own.

Gen. Kainerugaba noted that they will not allow foreign interests to determine our national narrative; impunity within certain elements of Uganda’s political class and media directly impacts the country's security.

President Museveni used the same platform to congratulate the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for improving the welfare of the army, adding military structures.

At the same occasion, President Museveni appealed to Ugandans to vote for leaders who will fight corruption and also extend services to them.

Relatedly,  the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commended the former Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, who currently serves as the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Jacob Oboth, whom Muhoozi says worked with the military command to improve the welfare of the Defence Forces and also helped in passing the UPDF Act 2025 as amended.

Gen. Kainerugaba noted that with Oboth’s new position in parliament, he (Oboth Oboth) will continue to support the Ministry of Defence and the UPDF, adding that with new leaders in cabinet and parliament, Gen. Muhoozi said Uganda is on track to achieve its target of growing its GDP tenfold from roughly $500 billion by 2040.

The CDF revealed that Uganda is peaceful, secure and thriving, however adding that the government is dealing with the fifth column of neo-colonialist sympathisers and agents of foreign agents whose intent is to sabotage Uganda's Independence and development.

“We are all aware of the existence of the negative elements against our country, but the good news is that we will not permit their Shenanigans. We can not afford the widespread public malaise over sustaining corruption and poor service delivery in our country.

We cannot and shall not tolerate agents of foreign interests who work secretly to weaken the country's progress,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

He noted that as the UPDF, they will never allow what he termed as agents of foreign interests to demoralise and demobilise the patriotic and nationalist spirit of Ugandans.

Gen. Kainerugaba noted that they will not allow foreign interests to determine our national narrative; impunity within certain elements of Uganda’s political class and media directly impacts the country's security.

“In order for Uganda to transform into a first-world country, these elements have to become responsible actors so that peace and security are preserved,” Muhoozi said, adding that they (UPDF) will never allow anyone to undermine the national interest in whatever shape or form.

Welfare of UPDF

The CDF revealed that the army has registered tremendous strides in this field, and yet more is to come, adding some UPDF will progressively improve the remuneration of the officers and militants, and that the UPDF is gradually expanding the quality and quantity of the accommodation facilities of the soldiers.

“We are also working to deliver modern office facilities and operational planning centres. We are revamping and improving our military schools, hospitals, not just for our active soldiers but for the reservists that can access. And utilise them across the country,” Kainerugaba said.

He added that the UPDF would like to see the soldiers to be proud of the conditions in which they work.

The CFD urged the new recruits to take care of their lives, maintain their medical and physical fitness, uphold the values of discipline, courage, loyalty and always cultivate their warrior spirit.

“Take care of your lives, maintain your medical and physical fitness, uphold the values of discipline, courage, and loyalty, and always cultivate the warrior spirit. With these values, you will master the necessary military capabilities to protect and defend the revolution,” Gen Muhoozi said.

He also commended UDPF soldiers in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia for the regional peace and Stability missions.

Congratulates recruits 

Gen. Kainerugaba also congratulated the recruits for coming this far, noting that this a moment that will always remain printed into their memories for a long printed into their memories for a long time to come, adding that even more, this was their compelling conscious decision to join military service.

“Joining the military is a lifetime commitment and sacrifice to the cause of our great fatherland, Uganda. I commend you for making that bold and patriotic decision,” Gen. Muhoozi said.

The CDF noted that recruits have obtained the required military skills and are now ready to undertake active military duty in service to the fatherland.

He also revealed that a total of 11948 recruits were being passed out, adding that out of the 11948 recruits, 10207 are Ugandans and 1741 are from the Central African Republic.

Gen Kainerugaba also used the opportunity to congratulate President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party for the successes that they have attained in the first half of 2026, adding that the decisive popular victory and mandate in the January general elections across all the elective positions across the country.

The colourful inauguration of the new term of office at Kololo ceremonial ground and recently the installation of the new executive that will help drive the President’s vision of “Kisanja no more sleep” from 2026 to 2031.

The commandant of Kaweweta Basic Military Training School, Patrick Otong, said that hundreds of people gathered in Kaweweta are not just here to mark the completion of an intense training period but also to honour the resilience, sacrifice and commitment.

Otong noted that the training has been a journey filled with challenges and moments of self-doubt, adding that it’s through such hardships that the recruits have forged this strength and the spirit that binds them.

“In the past 43 weeks, the recruits have not only learnt to push their physical and mental limits but also embrace the values of teamwork, leadership, patriotism and service of the nation,” Otong said.

The recruits proved that they possess the unyielding will to succeed no matter how difficult the task might be.

Otong revealed that the training was successful because the school was ably supported by the strategic headquarters in terms of logistics and other resources.

The State Minister for Defence, Grace Ngabirano, also congratulated the recruits, noting that they are being passed out as disciplined and resilient men and women, adding that they are now ready to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda as well as execute regional peacekeeping.

Ngabirano commended the recruits for enduring early morning drills, harsh terrains, with limited sleep and strict military discipline. 

Here is a picture highlight as President Yoweri Museveni passed out new recruits, all photos by Simon Peter Tumwine