National Defence College, Uganda

National Defence College, Uganda is a National Security and Strategic Studies training and educational institution in Uganda.[1][2]

National Defence College, Uganda
Njeru, Buikwe District in Uganda
National Defence College, Uganda is located in Uganda
National Defence College, Uganda
National Defence College, Uganda
Location of National Defence College, Uganda, in Njeru.
Coordinates00°26′06″N 33°10′23″E / 0.43500°N 33.17306°E / 0.43500; 33.17306
TypeMilitary School
Site information
OwnerUganda People's Defence Force
Controlled byUPDF
Open to
the public
Not yet
Site history
BuiltJuly 2021 (July 2021)
Built byUganda People's Defence Force Engineers
In useSince December 2021
FateOperational
Garrison information
Current
commander
Major General Francis Okello
Past
commanders
n/a
Airfield information
Elevation1,140 m (3,740 ft) AMSL

Location

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The college is located in Njeru, in Buikwe District. This is near the city of Jinja, approximately 81 kilometres (50 mi), by road, east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[3][4]

Overview

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The Defence College is expected to produce graduates in strategic leadership to government on national and international security matters. It is intended to be an institute of excellence on defence, security and national development.[5]

In September 2018, the Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces, General David Muhoozi, established a committee to spearhead the establishment of the defence college in 2019. The committee was chaired by Lieutenant General Nakibus Lakara, the Commander of the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC), based in Jinja. Lydia Wanyoto, a Ugandan lawyer, politician and diplomat, was one of the committee members.[5]

According to the army commander, the National Defence College will offer training to civilians, military, national security professionals and future leaders. The training is intended to educate the students about the strategic security environment and the management of complexities at a strategic level. At this time, the UPDF has a sufficient number of senior officers, with the requisite knowledge, experience and background information to become instructors at the defence college.[5]

The NDCU admitted its first cohort of students, numbering about 20, in January 2022. The students are first-star generals (Brigadier), senior military commanders (Colonel) and high ranking government personnel.[2]

The College is affiliated with Makerere University, Uganda's oldest and largest public university. Graduates will receive a National Defence Collège badge and a master's degree, awarded by Makerere University.[6]

Courses

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As of January 2022, the college offers two courses (a) Postgraduate Diploma in National Security Studies and (b) Masters in Security Strategy, offered in collaboration with Makerere University.[7]

Pioneer class

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Members of the pioneer class at NDCU (2022), include Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso, previously spokesperson for the UPDF.[8] Others are Colonel Edith Nakalema, previously Head of State House Anti Corruption Unit (SHACU),[9] and Brigadier Peter Candia, previously Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC).[10] There were 18 UPDF officers in the pioneer class.[11] The second cohort of officers, numbering 21, graduated in June 2024.[12][13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Vision Reporter (12 September 2018). "UPDF To Establish National Defence College". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b Kenneth Kazibwe (14 December 2021). "Ugandan army starts own National Defence College". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  3. ^ SoftPower Reporter (11 September 2018). "General Muhoozi Unveils Committee To Steer Establishment of National Defence College". SoftPower Uganda. Kampala. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Road Distance Between Kampala, Uganda And National Defense College, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Kenneth Kazibwe (11 September 2018). "Ugandan army to start own National Defence College". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  6. ^ Francis Otucu (5 November 2021). "Exclusive! UPDF In Final Lap of Establishing a National Defense College of Uganda". Medscape News. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  7. ^ ChimpReports (29 January 2022). "President Museveni Commissions National Defence College". ChimpReports.com. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  8. ^ Iven Mubiru (11 January 2022). "UPDF Spokesperson Brig Byekwaso hands over office to her Deputy Lt Col Kakurungu as Museveni sends her to one year training course". Watchdog Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  9. ^ Muhamadi Matovu (26 January 2022). "Col Nakalema speaks out on her departure from State House Anti-Corruption Unit". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  10. ^ Charles Etukuri (20 January 2022). "SFC commander hands over office to deputy". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  11. ^ Nicholas Agaba (31 January 2022). "Develop Capacity to Deal with Strategic Defence Issues Affecting the Region, Museveni Says to Army Leaders". The Kampala Post. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  12. ^ Joseph Kato (27 April 2024). "Sectarianism Has Capacity to Spark National Insecurity-Gen Otafiire". Uganda Radio Network. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  13. ^ Muhamadi Byemboijana (2 June 2024). "Museveni Warns National Defence College Graduates Against Corruption". SoftPower Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
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