UPDF Defence Council elects 10 representatives to 12th parliament

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Defence Council, sitting at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, has elected ten military representatives to the 12th Parliament.

Those elected are Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Lt Gen James Mugira, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Maj Gen Henry Masiko, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Brig Gen David Robert Gonyi, Col Sylvia Meeme, Col Christine Nekesa, and Col Night Ikiriza.

The election was presided over by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, H.E. Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who chaired the Defence Council meeting convened specifically to elect the UPDF’s representatives to Parliament.

Addressing the Council, President Museveni underscored that effective political leadership is rooted in correctly identifying and addressing the real and solvable needs of the people.

“Political leadership which succeeds does so because leaders accurately identify solvable needs and then solve them,” the President said.

Reflecting on the recently concluded elections, President Museveni observed a renewed public enthusiasm comparable to that witnessed during the 1996 general elections.

“When I was going around campaigning, I could see that we are almost running back to the enthusiasm of the people during the elections of 1996,” he said, attributing the renewed confidence to the National Resistance Movement’s historical approach to resolving Uganda’s challenges.

The President identified the establishment of a disciplined national army as the first major problem addressed by the NRM.

“Ugandans had never seen a disciplined army. They were used to brutal armies, extrajudicial killings, and no accountability,” he said. “When the NRM started fighting in the rural areas, even before we took power, people saw how strict we were on discipline and respect for the wananchi.”

He cited an incident in Semuto where soldiers killed civilians, noting that such acts were common under previous regimes.

“Under the NRA, there was zero tolerance. That case went to the High Command and it was decided that the three soldiers be executed,” President Museveni said. “That is why the people sided with the NRA even before we took power.”

President Museveni said the second major challenge was sectarianism, which he described as a destructive legacy of colonial and early post-independence politics.

“Uganda had been destroyed by sectarianism of tribe and religion,” he said, explaining that political parties were historically organised along religious and ethnic lines, a situation that undermined national unity and effective governance.

He cited the 1962 elections as an example, noting that no single party secured enough numbers to form a government independently.

Economic collapse and widespread shortages were identified as the third major challenge addressed by the NRM. The President noted that merchandise had since returned to shops and highlighted infrastructure development efforts that began in 1987.

“I remember Bishop Misaeri Kitemggwa Kauma saying, ‘Praise God for a government that starts something and finishes it,’ because previous governments would start projects and collapse before completion,” he recalled.

President Museveni urged the newly elected UPDF legislators to remain focused on addressing the practical needs of the population.

“You must be clear about the solvable problems of our people and work to solve them,” he said, while commending the UPDF for its role in ensuring peaceful elections.

During the same event, the President commissioned three officer cadets to the rank of Second Lieutenant. These included 2Lt Bazalaki Tikula, a graduate of the Gen Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Sri Lanka, and 2Lt Moses Ekoi and 2Lt Piloya Vivian, both graduates of the Tanzania Military Academy.

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, praised the UPDF for its contribution to national stability.

“The UPDF is the fulcrum of the peace, security, and stability that has prevailed and continues to prevail in this country,” Justice Byabakama said. “It is therefore befitting that this institution elects its leaders in a democratic manner.”