A total of 76 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers have successfully completed the Squadron Officers Course (SOC), a key professional military training programme.

The graduation ceremony took place at the UPDF Air Force College in Nakasongola, where the officers were awarded certificates and diplomas after months of rigorous training.

The Squadron Officers Course is designed to equip junior and mid-level officers with essential leadership, command, and tactical skills necessary for effective service in the UPDF Air Force and other units.

Speaking at the event, the Commander of the Air Force, Brig Gen Charles Okidi, congratulated the graduates and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to improve operational efficiency and discipline within the force.

The graduates comprised officers from various ranks and units across the UPDF.

The training covered areas such as air operations, leadership, military law, tactics, and administration.

This latest cohort brings the total number of officers who have undergone the Squadron Officers Course to several hundred, reflecting the UPDF’s continued investment in professionalising its air force and building a highly skilled officer corps.

The UPDF leadership has emphasized that such training programmes are critical in modernising the force and preparing officers to handle contemporary security challenges both at home and in regional peacekeeping missions.