President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed newly commissioned Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers to protect wealth creation, combat crime targeting farmers and strengthen civil-military relations, saying economic growth is critical to sustaining national defence.

Museveni said a strong economy was essential for sustaining an effective military, urging the officers to protect wealth creation in agriculture, manufacturing, services and information and communications technology.

He also directed the military to work with relevant authorities to combat crime, particularly theft targeting farmers, warning that such offences undermine household incomes and national development.

The President cited livestock theft as an example of criminal activity that frustrates government efforts under the Parish Development Model (PDM), which seeks to move households into the money economy.

He issued the directives on Tuesday while commissioning 280 officer cadets at the Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba, Mubende District.

The commissioned officers include professional officer cadets and graduates of the Bachelor of Defence Studies programme, as well as personnel trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and military academies in India. The group also includes cadets from Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Museveni urged the newly commissioned officers to remain focused on their military careers, warning them against distractions that could compromise their service.

He emphasised discipline, commitment and responsible conduct, saying the officers had a duty to contribute meaningfully to the UPDF’s mission of protecting the country.

On civil-military relations, Museveni urged the officers to maintain public trust, noting that cooperation between the armed forces and civilians remained critical to national security.

He recalled that during the liberation struggle, civilian support helped compensate for shortages of weapons and other military equipment, enabling fighters to advance their campaign.

The President commended Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the leadership of the Uganda Military Academy and the UPDF’s strategic leadership for initiatives aimed at improving military training and preparing officers for professional service.

Gen Kainerugaba congratulated the newly commissioned officers on completing their initial professional military training and welcomed them into the UPDF officer corps.

He urged them to uphold loyalty and discipline, describing the values as fundamental to the force’s traditions and its responsibility to maintain peace and security.

The CDF also emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards of military education across UPDF training institutions.

He directed the officers to report to their respective units and formations to participate in ongoing military assignments, saying the experience would help them develop into well-rounded leaders while contributing to national security.

Kainerugaba reaffirmed the UPDF’s commitment to improving military training, acquiring modern equipment and enhancing the welfare of soldiers, supported by discipline and ideological and political education.

The CDF also expressed concern about a reported increase in violent crime in some parts of the country, including attacks in which suspects allegedly use machetes and firearms to rob, kill and sexually assault women.

He said security agencies operating under the inter-agency security framework were coordinating efforts to identify and arrest suspects.

Kainerugaba said the operations would continue to protect lives and property and restore public safety.

He added that the security situation in Uganda and the wider region remained relatively calm, with regional peace and stabilisation missions continuing.

The CDF also reported improvements in the welfare of UPDF personnel, although specific details of the measures and the extent of the improvements were not provided in the information available.

The commissioning ceremony marked the entry of the 280 cadets into the UPDF officer corps, with the President and military leadership challenging them to combine professional competence with discipline, public accountability and commitment to national security.