Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka commandant Maj. Gen. George Igumba has implored learned youth to join the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) as a way of serving their nation.

Igumba says as soldiers retire, the young people should be ready to replace them for the continuity of peace and stability to foster development.

He made the call while addressing students of St James Secondary School in Jinja city on Friday as the entity prepared to mark St James Day on July 25, 2023, which was named after this school.

Headteacher Jacque Kutesa Kalule (2nd left), Maj. Gen. George Igumba (2nd right) and another staff members in a group photo at the school on Friday.

Igumba, who is an alumnus of the school (1974 to 1978), said the UPDF was a professional force which required learned people and professionals of different academic backgrounds.

Headteacher Jacque Kutesa Kalule said Igumba’s inspirational and empowering address was part of career guidance, which they had initiated a year ago.

“The school started holding career guidance sessions last year and if we host one of our own former students, it greatly impacts on them,” Kalule said.

She said many students were merely studying for the sake of their parents sending them to school with no idea of what they hope to be in future.

“Our students come from humble families and have no role models, but this was a big chance to hear and see one from their school made it,” she said.

As the school would be marking 53 years of its existence as well as celebrating St James Day, Igumba said he would be abroad. As a result, he chose to go in advance and deliver his financial contribution to support preparations for the event.

The army General, who joined the force at 21 years, said he had soldiered for 43 years and has started packing his luggage and therefore, he implored the students to bridge such gaps by following in his footsteps.

Igumba was accompanied by Busoga diocesan ambassador Henry Ikomba, who was two classes ahead of him in the same school.