MANIFESTO WEEK! LDUs have ensured peace and security in urban centres – UPDF

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs revealed that whereas there are pockets of crimes within a sections within the Local Defense Unit, they have largely ensured peace and security.

Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, the Joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF says there is peace in urban centres because of the LDUs. He said there are measures are in place to deal with errant officers.

Lt. Gen. Musanyufu was backed by his minister, Adolf Mwesige. Mwesige said the crimes happening now cannot be compared to those of the 70s and 80s and that they are orchestrated by individuals over selfish gains. Speaking on the plans by his ministry over the next 5 years (2021-2026), he said the army will continue professionalizing and modernizing the defense and security forces.

This, he said, will be achieved through acquisition and maintenance of equipment, recruitment and training (locally and internationally) among others.

Mwesige said the 26, 000 Local Defense Unit officers will be absorbed into mainstream Uganda People Defense Forces (UPDF). But the absorption, he said, will come after an intense training to decide who gets absorbed and who does not.

The ministry, according to Mwesige, will also continue offering healthcare services like it showed during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Outside carrying out health service related work, the force also joined other agencies of government in distributing food to the public after the Covid-19 lockdown. It also embarked on production of face masks and sanitizers (through Luweero Industries).  Mwesige said his ministry is looking to enhance salaries of officers from the lowest rank to the Generals. Already, he said junior officers have had their salaries increased. On top of these, the army, he said will continue buying uniforms and boots locally under the Build Uganda Buy Uganda (BUBU) policy but also increase funding for the Luweero Industries, a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation, the business arm of the UPDF. Top of the ministry’s plan is to continue strengthening internal and external security. This, he says, explains why the recently concluded elections were peaceful. The force will also continue training and setting up income generating activities for soldiers’ spouses in order to supplement their household income. On settling claims by veterans, as of 2021, 8, 292 claimants have been settled to a tune of 70 billion out the total 188 billion.

Over the years, Mwesige said, the UPDF greatly improved through acquisition of modern equipment, regular maintenance of equipment and human capital development.

In the next five years, defense is expected to concentrate on relocating air force elements to Nakasongola and enhance salaries for scientists in the army.

According to Mwesige, Defense ministry performed at 100% in the last 5 years but that even with the achievements, National Service Scheme failed to take off. This, he said, will partly form the basis of what the ministry will concentrate on in the next five years. Other challenges include limited budget and the ever changing face of technology as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.