UPDF starts Russian language course at Nakasongola Defence school
Col James Muhumuza, the Commandant of the School, thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for their support in establishing the course.
Senior UPDF officers and Russian military experts on Tuesday.
KAMPALA - Officers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) are set to undergo a one-year Russian language course at the School of Defence Intelligence and Security in Migyera, Nakasongola.
The program will equip soldiers with practical skills in reading, writing, speaking, and translating Russian.
Such training is expected to strengthen military cooperation between Uganda and Russia.
The course, which officially opened on Tuesday ( October 7) by Brigadier General Wycliffe Keita, the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine Command, attracted officers and militants from various UPDF formations.
During the launch events in Nakasongola, Brig Gen Keita said the initiative will deepen partnerships between the UPDF and the Russian Federation, while enhancing Uganda’s international relations and contributing to regional development.
Brigadier Wycliffe Keita, the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine Command.
Major General Sergel Marchuk, head of Russian military experts in Uganda, revealed that graduates will qualify for admission into Russian military academies, with a reduced study duration.
A release from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs states that Marchuk
also commended the UPDF for its commitment to professional training.
Col James Muhumuza, the Commandant of the School, thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for their support in establishing the course.
The ceremony was attended by senior and junior officers, instructors from Russia and China, and language experts.
In the recent past, Uganda and Russia's top military teams have held meetings to deepen military ties and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Major General Sergel Marchuk, head of Russian military experts.
In one of such engagements, Lt Gen James Mugira, Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), in June hosted the Russia–Uganda Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation meeting at NEC Headquarters.
During the meeting, Mugira lauded Uganda’s military-technical partnership with Russia as both historic and strategically vital.
He highlighted Russia’s enduring contribution to military capacity building, which he said has helped African countries protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting follows earlier sessions held in Moscow in July 2022 and June 2024, marking continued progress in cooperation between the two nations.