President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has presided over a hybrid pass-out ceremony for the 18th Intake (2025/2026) of 11,978 soldiers at the UPDF Basic Military Training School in Kaweweta, Kinyogoga sub-county, in Nakaseke district and other four training schools, marking remarkable military graduation ceremonies in Uganda’s history.
The ceremony held both physically and virtually saw 10,207 newly recruited Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers from Kaweweeta, and other four other training schools of Olilim in Katakwi district, Ruhengyere in Mbarara district, Labwor dwong in Agago district, and Butyaba in Buliisa district complete their basic military training, alongside 1,771 soldiers from the Central African Republic (CAR), marking Uganda’s largest-ever military training contingent for a fellow African country.
The event held on July 9th, 2026, was also attended by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who described the graduation as a significant milestone for Uganda’s defence forces and regional military cooperation.
Gen Muhoozi noted that the combined graduating class of 11,978 soldiers is the largest military cohort Uganda has produced since the early 1990s, when the UPDF trained South Africa’s Umkhonto we Sizwe (the African National Congress’ armed wing) and the Lesotho Defence Force.
The graduation of the 1,771 CAR soldiers underscores Uganda’s growing role in strengthening regional peace, security and military capacity through defence cooperation with fellow African nations.
President Museveni inspected the guard of honour before presiding over the colourful pass-out parade at Kaweweta, where the recruits showcased skills acquired during months of rigorous military training.
The newly passed-out Ugandan recruits are expected to strengthen the UPDF’s operational capacity, while the CAR soldiers will return home to reinforce their country’s defence forces following the completion of their training in Uganda.
Other distinguished guests present included State Minister of Defense Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, State Minister in charge of Veteran Affairs Huda, Senior technocrats at Ministry of Defense, Representative of IGP SCP Tusiime the deputy Director HRD and CGP represented by CP Sana Brenda, Division commanders, Senior army officers and parents of recruits.
