KAMPALA — Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security Matters, Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, has been honoured by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for her outstanding contribution to Uganda’s 1981–1986 liberation struggle that ushered the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) into power.
Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso received the recognition during the hybrid pass-out ceremony for the 18th Intake (2025/2026) of recruits held at the UPDF Basic Military Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District, where an award for the best female recruit was named in her honour.
The ceremony, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, also recognised the contribution of former Tanzanian President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, whose support for Uganda’s liberation struggle has been widely acknowledged.
The event brought together recruits who trained at Kaweweta, Ruhengyere and Butyaba military training schools, with a total of 11,948 recruits successfully completing basic military training. Among them were 1,741 recruits from the Central African Republic (CAR), who trained alongside their Ugandan counterparts.
Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso, one of the pioneering commanders of the National Resistance Army during the bush war, has remained a prominent figure in Uganda’s military history. She is recognised as East Africa’s first female star general and is the highest-ranking female officer in the UPDF. Over the years, she has been credited for her strategic leadership during the liberation struggle and her continued service to the country in defence and security matters.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief Instructor of the UPDF Basic Military Training School-Kaweweta, Col. Joseph Okello, said the awards were named after distinguished leaders whose contributions continue to inspire discipline, patriotism and excellence among young soldiers.
“Your Excellency, Sir, I am here to present to you the five recruits who excelled in various fields during the training. These awards are named after distinguished leaders and guests from Uganda and East Africa whose contributions continue to inspire excellence,” Col. Okello said.
The UPDF recognised outstanding recruits in different categories. Amanya Salwa emerged as the best overall recruit, receiving the Order of the Commander-in-Chief Award, while Tasi Chrispas won the Chief of Defence Forces Award for best field performance. Opoka Richard received the Order of the Queen Award for best academic performance.
Nashemeza Michelle was named the recipient of the Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso Award after emerging as the best female recruit, while Frank Loko won the Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere Award as the best allied recruit.
President Museveni has on several occasions praised Mwalimu Nyerere for supporting Uganda’s liberation movements and promoting peace and stability in the region. The naming of awards after both Nyerere and Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso reflects the UPDF’s recognition of leaders whose contributions shaped Uganda’s military history and continue to inspire new generations of soldiers.
The ceremony marked another milestone for the UPDF as nearly 12,000 recruits formally joined the force after completing months of rigorous military training, with military leaders urging them to uphold discipline, professionalism and patriotism in service to the nation.
