The Chief of Defence Forces, General Wilson Mbasu Mabdi has challenged the newly promoted Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces officers to remember that promotions come with a heavier load to account to the country and the institution.
“As you climb in ranks, it is a climb of the ladder of leadership, a climb of a ladder of team spirit and a climb of a ladder of teamwork, because the more you do that, the more it becomes a collective and cooperative responsibility,” said Gen Mbadi.
General Mbadi made the remarks during the decoration ceremony of one (01) Brigadier General and twenty-two (22) at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Mbuya following their promotion by the Commander-in-Chief.
He informed them that their promotion is part of the UPDF’s policy of continuous professionalization and standardization.
Speaking about the UPDF Establishment 2021 that was recently released by the President, Gen Mbadi assured the officers and the militants in attendance that policies of professionalization and standardization outlined by the Establishment are to continue in the short, medium and long term as it is the way to go.
He further advised the officers to have the moral courage to take action against those who deviate from the moral culture of the establishment and to always stand by the UPDF and Internal Security Organisation mandates aimed at protecting and preserving the sovereignty of the country and its people.
Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, Brig Gen Charles Oluka, the Director General of ISO, congratulated the UPDF on the successful launch of the Establishment and hoped to borrow a leaf for the Internal Security Organization (ISO). He commended how far ISO has come and the new direction that they are taking with support from UPDF through military training.
The Director noted that joint training is key for bonding, shared ideology, and philosophy and the effective conduct of joint operations.
“The geopolitics of Uganda revolves around three elements which included, the prosperity of all Ugandans, strategic security for Uganda and enhancing International credibility of the African people,” said Brig Gen Oluka
Brigadier General Charles Oluka the current serving Director General of ISO joined the army in 1987 and was commissioned in 1991. He has undertaken several military training courses that include among others, the Basic Military Training at Kaweweta, Officer Cadet, Junior Staff and Command Course, Company Commanders’ Course and Strategic National Security at the Galileo College in Israel.
In attendance were, the Deputy CDF, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Commander Air Forces, Joint Chief of Staff, Chief of Personnel and Administration, Service Chiefs, Generals and Senior Officers.
