SENIOR MILITARY officers enrolled at Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Musanze district have been urged to uphold discipline, integrity and professional conduct to make the one-year course successful and beneficial to all and their respective countries.

The call was made on Monday by Brig Gen Charles Karamba, the College’s Commandant, while officiating at the opening of the fourth intake of 48 senior officers from eight regional countries.

Karamba said the course, like many others at various levels, is  encouraged by military leadership as training is the cornerstone of organisational success.

"For any military institution to remain effective, relevant, maintain cohesion and develop a sound doctrine, it has to continuously and systematically train its officers. Therefore, this is in line with our strategic leadership quest to transform and develop effective defence and security forces ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.

Karamba said the students will engage in two concurrent course packages that include the core curriculum military package and the masters in security studies.

"The military package entails vigorous training in the form of theoretical and practical concepts in the art and science of warfare in order to improve your knowledge and skills in command and control. The masters programme enhances your understanding of security in its holistic form,” Karamba noted.

The College works closely with the University of Rwanda and has created partnership with other regional and international universities to ensure courses needed for military officers are well designed.

It was inaugurated three years ago to offer high-level military studies. So far, 138 senior officers have graduated from the College in three intakes.

Participants said they were ready and committed to work hard to ensure the course provides the skills which will help them in future assignments.

Lt Col James Kirumba, from Kenya Defence Forces, said the training was not only an opportunity to acquire both military and academic skills, but also to share experience with other trainees.

Participants are from Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda.