JINJA, UGANDA: President Yoweri Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Saturday commissioned the National Defence College Uganda (NDC-U) in a function held at the college’s grounds in Buikwe District.
Mr. Museveni in his address to the gathering noted that the National Defence College aims at boosting military skills and knowledge of not only officers in the army but also leaders in positions of governance.
“This new institution is the apex of military learning as its training brings knowledge and dispels ignorance. It will focus on training leaders to also lead people with a demeanor of no fear, yet with friendliness to the people, and effectively achieving any given mission,” President Museveni said.
Gen. Wilson Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces explained that the tuition at NDC is $15,000 per person, which is more cost-effective compared to when they would send UPDF generals to study the same programs in Kenya and Tanzania for $69,000 and $55,000 respectively.
Maj Gen Francis Okello, the Commandant of NDC-U, informed the gathering that there are 2 courses currently running; a Post Graduate Diploma in National Security Studies and a Masters in Security Strategy taught by Makerere University and have been accredited by the National Council for Higher Education. He further thanked the President for his consistent guidance and follow-up of setting up this institution.
Among the notable attendees at the event included; the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, and the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Hon. Diana Mutasingwa
Others in attendance were; Permanent Secretary of MODVA Mrs Rosette Byengoma, Joint Chief of Staff Maj General Leopold Kyanda, UPDF Service Commanders,Defence attachés from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and key local leaders of Buikwe District.
NDC-U is a premier government learning institution under the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) to provide training to senior ranking military and other security officers, relevant civilian officers and leaders, whether local or foreign on broader strategic security, management skills, and public policy issues and is the very first of its kind in Uganda.
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