ENTEBBE.
President Museveni has called on the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers and students undergoing various courses at the Armoured Warfare Training School – Karama, Mubende District to protect Uganda from the divisive politics of identity, which he believes undermines national unity, and urged them to engage in the country’s socio-economic transformation by promoting prosperity through the production of goods and services.
Delivering a lecture of opportunity on Tuesday at State House Entebbe, Museveni who is also the Commander In Chief of the UPDF, cited the harmful impact of identity politics in most African Nations, notably citing the historical fall of Africa to Colonialists that resulted in a significant political and economic decline.
“In the last 500 years, Africa has been through so many problems, slave trade, colonialism, and neo-colonialism. All this was happening because the governance of Africa was weak and lagged, consequently allowing Europeans to take control.” He said
The President expressed satisfaction at the gathering, stating the importance of discussing the UPDF’s role as an instrument of revolution in Uganda and Africa, emphasizing the need for attendees to understand this mission.
Taking them through the historic European colonization of Africa, the President hinted at its negative impact on African economic development, Uganda inclusive, and urged them to focus on national interests.
Recalling how Africa had gone through neo-colonialism, causing economic collapse, President Museveni pointed out that upon coming to power, the NRM Government introduced three historic missions (prosperity, strategic security, and brotherhood) and four ideological principles (Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-Economic Transformation, and Democracy) resulting in the revival of the economy.
The President also urged the army officers to rethink prosperity through self-sufficiency, saying that true economic growth does not depend on aid but on local production and entrepreneurship (producing a good or service and selling it with ekibaro), communities can generate income, improve living standards, and access essential resources like housing, transport, electricity and clean water.
“You can’t get prosperous from aid, if we were to get prosperous, Africa would be rich, even other countries like Latin America have been getting aid but they are very poor. The only way you can get prosperous is to produce a good or a service and you sell it with ekibaro and this will help you to get good money to live a better life.”
President Museveni further warned the officers against tribalism and emphasized the need to expand markets beyond Uganda to ensure economic prosperity, advocating for a Pan-African and patriotic approach.
Brig. Gen. Peter Chandia, Commandant of the Armoured Warfare Training School, in his vote of thanks, extended his gratitude Mr Museveni for having secured time off his busy schedule to offer a lecture of opportunity which has enhanced their understanding on how they are entitled to prosperity which is beneficial to individuals, society, the nation and the continent at large.
“This lesson today, sir, has brought out significant lessons important for our College Courses curriculum and will forever inspire us to continue to work harder to defend Uganda and Africa and to identify our linkages and similarities for achieving Political and Economical Federation, Prosperity and Social Economic Transformation.”
He noted that the institution is training specialized students in technical skills from the School of Combat Engineering Level III Intake 04/2024-2025 and tank crews from Tank Training School Intake 18/2024-2025 as well as Armour Platoon Commanders (APCC) from MOI Training School Intake 08/2024-2025.
Armoured Warfare Training School (AWTS) continues to develop human resource capabilities for Motorised Infantry and Armoured Brigade through numerous trainings that have resulted in excellent performance by the components in both local and foreign missions; focusing on operational-level training for mid-level officers and enhancing their analytical skills for modern military challenges.
The graduation for the current various cohorts is scheduled for July 2025.
The event was also attended by Chief Instructors; Lt. Col. Nathan Atwine and Major James Sikusoka, among other Senior Officers.