The newly passed out Platoon commanders have been advised to defend the country jealously now that they have acquired the necessary knowledge and hence the course attended gives them the full powers to command soldiers and protect Ugandans with their properties.
The call was made on Friday, 26th April 2019 by the Chief of Defence Forces [ CDF ], Gen. David Muhoozi during the pass out ceremony at Bihanga training school in Ibanda District.
The CDF congratulated the Graduands upon successful completion of the course. He said that, platoon commanders course is a carrier progression course and that many more courses are yet to come their way.
He cautioned them against being over-ambitious in terms of seeking quick rise through the ranks, he said ranks come with training attained, number of years served, Discipline, appointments held, etc. “Not all of you will, for example, make it to General core but a few lucky ones will because that’s not how the army works. The career paths you will take such as the different appointments and levels of training among others will be the determining factors but we must nevertheless continue serving the country in different capacities ” Gen Muhoozi said.
The CDF also gave a lecture of opportunity to the students which dwelt on the recent president’s message to the UPDF officers and men when he was visiting different formations.
Gen David Muhoozi was accompanied by the Commander Land Force [ CLF ], Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, who congratulated the officers upon the successful completion of the course. He informed the newly passed out commanders that big tasks await them.
Speaking at the same function, the Commandant Bihanga Training School Brig. Gen, James Ruheesi, informed the CDF that the course commenced on 7th Jan 2019 and ran up to 26th April 2019. Of the 219 students who joined the course, 06 students were discontinued on medical and discipline grounds. Only 213 qualified of whom 30 were females.
He said the objective of the course was to equip students with leadership skills as well as preparing them for future tasks as officers.
The best-performing students were awarded prizes with the overall best being Lt Dan Namanya. The best in Class was Lt Biribawa Betty Ngobi, exemplary leadership award went to Capt Yashir Buga while the best female student was Lt Josephine Nabulemu. The best in the field was Lt Nicholas Akandwanaho.
The pass out ceremony was also attended by the staff of Bihanga training school, the Chairperson LC111 Nyamalebe sub-county, the OC police Kanyarugiri , Religious leaders and wanainchi from the immediate neighbourhood.