742 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recruits have successfully completed the first Basic Military Training conducted at the Mountain Warfare Training School in Karugutu Town Council, Ntoroko District.
The recruits underwent eight months of training, which began on 24 November 2025 and concluded in July 2026.During the pass-out ceremony on Friday, the recruits showcased skills acquired during the training, including combat drills, weapon handling and other military exercises.
The Chief Guest, Major General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga the Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces, urged the newly passed-out soldiers to uphold discipline, patriotism and professionalism as they begin their military careers. He tasked them with protecting Uganda’s territorial integrity and serving the country with dedication.
Maj. Gen. Ssemwanga said recruiting young people into the army helps address unemployment particularly in the Rwenzori and Tooro sub-regions, while also strengthening national security.
He also commended the progress of Operation Shujaa the joint military offensive by the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) saying the operation has significantly weakened the rebel group’s activities.
The Commandant of the Mountain Warfare Training School Colonel Jedidiah Kiyengo Lugonvu said 780 recruits were enrolled when the training commenced. However, 38 recruits did not complete the course leaving 742 recruits to graduate.Of those who passed out 32 were female while the rest were male.
Col. Lugonvu noted that the recruits were drawn from six districts in the Rwenzori and Tooro sub-regions ;Bunyangabu, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kasese.
He described the graduation as a milestone for the school noting that it was the first Basic Military Training intake since the establishment of the Mountain Warfare Training School. URN