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]
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 GeneralNakibus 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]
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]
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]
