Opinion: We have peace because the army is always on our side



By
Samson Koozi 

Of all the many policies and services that our citizens deserve in Uganda and need to understand, none is so important as peace and security.

So, as we get close to the swearing in of the president in May, I would like to highlight the most important question concerning keeping peace in our country Uganda. 

Having a democratic and peaceful country like Uganda requires a number of components, some tangible, like economic wealth, technical preeminence and other components that are intangible such as a moral force.

An army that is strong, ready and modern is all that peaceful countries want to have. When both the intangible national will and those forces are forged into one instrument, national power becomes effective and that is exactly what President Museveni has done for all the time he has been in power.

On February 6, the ruling party always marks the day of the first attack on Kabamba barracks by the National Resistance Army (NRA). That attack started the liberation war in 1981 to January 26, 1986 when the army finally took over Kampala. 

Unlike the post-independence armed forces which were characterized with extra-judicial killings, impunity, indiscipline, torture of the wananchi, incarcerations and outright disappearances of citizens simply suspected of being opposed to those in power at the time, the NRA was different. For instance early in September 1972, Chief Justice Benedicto Kagimu Kiwanuka disappeared without a trace. He was one of Amin’s earliest and most prominent victims.

After the final overthrow of Idi Amin in April 1979 by combined forces of the Tanzanian army and Ugandan dissidents, the killings and state persecution of citizens did not end. Instead they continued to spiral out of control. 
The Obote army, too, failed to win the hearts of Ugandans because they were not any different from the Amin army and did not know how to relate with the wananchi who only prayed hard that the country gets peaceful.
The National Resistance Army led by Gen. Yoweri Museveni seized power after a prolonged five-year resistance war against the ingrained dictatorship. They came with a new daybreak that had never been seen in any armed force before. 

The Uganda People’s Defense Forces has been at the helm of Uganda because of the discipline that was instilled in them right from the onset of the liberation war. The ideological and political grounding is another aspect of training in the UPDF, which has set it apart from previous armies that never worked to make sure citizens were in peace and harmony. 

Over the years, the UPDF has continued to be given responsibilities even in mainstream government due to their discipline. The case in point is the Operation Wealth Creation programme. A number of soldiers are heading ministries, while the construction brigade has continued to assist government on various projects such as constructing houses at the Bulambuli settlement area for the Bududa landslide-affected persons. 

Through the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the UPDF business wing, many projects have been accomplished and some are ongoing like the construction of the Kiira vehicle plant in Jinja. 

The army now also produces its own water under the brand of Uzima mineral water, Ulinzi condoms and armored Mamba vehicles. All this has been done by the UPDF to show the world that the army can not only secure us as the people living in the country but it can also involve itself in producing products and doing other things that serve great purpose in the country.

During the previous elections, the UPDF has been so instrumental in making sure that the country is peaceful by working together with Uganda Police. The two security organs have scored highly during the most difficult times of Covid-19 and the general election campaigns.

Therefore, for those that are still youthful like me, let’s not be duped into forgetting our own history. We should remind ourselves of what happened in the past before the NRM army came in to restore peace in our country. 

There are so many lessons which the present and future generations must take seriously if we are to avoid getting back to the chaos that was here many years ago. The peace and stability we enjoy today was borne through sacrifice, and must be guarded jealously at all times.


The author, Samson Koozi is the Head, Communication of the Government Citizen Interaction Centre

Comments

Post a Comment

FOR ADVERTISING CONTACT US HERE

Name

Email *

Message *

Popular Posts

Image

First batch of Afghan refugees to arrive in Uganda on Sunday

The Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Eng Hilary Onek, has confirmed that the first batch of asylum seekers from Afghanistan will arrive in Uganda on Sunday. Onek was appearing on a local radio station talk show when he revealed that the first flight will carry about 140 people. He said subsequent flights will then follow. He said the Afghan nationals will not be treated as refugees since they are in transit to the US. They will not be taken to refugee settlement areas. They will, therefore, be accommodated at various hotels in Entebbe before being processed for their final destination.   Early this week, it was revealed that  Uganda agreeing to host about 2,000 Afghan nationals at the request of the US. Although they were expected to arrive on Wednesday, the government said modalities were still being worked out before the first batch could land at Entebbe International Airport. Thousands of refugees have been evacuated from  Afghanistan following the government
Image

BOBI WINE SECRETLY ACQUIRES A LAVISH MANSION IN US

Uganda’s musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine has bought a luxurious Bungalow, Cottage located in 20 Ford St, Boston, MA 02128 in USA. According to leaked information the rare, extraordinary, and classic mansion is said to be worth USD $6,900,000. The US trip follows Bobi Wine’s loss to President Yoweri Museveni who garnered 58% of the votes compared to Bobi Wine's 35% in the January 14 presidential election. It is believed that Mr. Kyagulanyi Robert diverted billions of cash given to him by his LGBT sponsors in various cities worldwide.  A source further revealed that Bobi Wine and his brother Nyanzi Fred commonly known as Chairman Nyanzi and MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke do not see eye to eye because, Nyanzi and Namboze requested for the accountability of the funds. According to a neighbor who did not wish to be identified, Robert Amsterdam and Jeffrey Smith used the house occasionally. He further said that he did not know that duo were Mr. Robe
Image

Panic at NUP as Mathias Mpuuga calls for a retreat without Kyagulanyi’s authorization.

There is brewing tension in the national unity platform leadership after the party’s vice president for Buganda region making a move which many believe is the beginning of usurping powers from the party’s president, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi. Today the Mathias Mpuuga called a presser and announced that NUP will be going into a three day retreat next week where they will choose a candidate for speaker and deputy speaker of the 11 th parliament. However, according to National Unity Platform MP elect (names withheld),   the real reason behind the retreat is for Mathias Mpuuga to declare himself as the Leader of Opposition in the next parliament without the clearance of the party president Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi. The MP elect added that Mpuuga is trying to blackmail Kyagulanyi into appointing him the leader of opposition in parliament since it will be hard to reserve the decision and appoint a different person after Mpuuga announcing himself. The MP further revealed that NUP alre