The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces High Command and Defence Forces Council has met and discussed the current political and security situation in the country. The army chiefs who met for two days [Wednesday and Thursday] with President Yoweri Museveni also paid attention to the ongoing heated debate regarding the constitutional amendment to remove Presidential age limits.
According to an official statement issued by army Spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire, the meeting discussed ways to ensure that the political debate does not in any way jeopardize national security and stability.
The High Command agreed on the need for an atmosphere that favors the exchange of political views without inciting violence.
“On the unnecessary anxiety arising from the current debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2017, the meetings urged all Ugandans to exchange views in a free, rational and civil manner that does not in any way jeopardize national Security and stability,” the statement obtained by this website said.
“Furthermore, the meetings recommended that these debates should be focused on our destiny as a country and by extension the continent.”
They resolved to “always support the Constitution, the substance of our democracy, the rule of law and the choices of the people of Uganda”.
In the meeting, the Commander in Chief presented repositories of the organ’s mission to the members as a way of rekindling commitment to their purpose.
In addition to democracy, Thursday’s discussion also focused on issues to do with patriotism, Pan Africanism and social economic transformation.
“Our destiny lies in ensuring that our common interests take precedence over identity in order and this diagnosis, helps to correctly plot our journey towards the desired end state of preserving our sovereignty, maintaining our democracy, promoting our people’s prosperity and strategic security through integration and preserving our heritage and identity in a dynamic way,” the statement reads in part.
The statement appeals for calm, and reassures on the army’s commitment to snsuring that peace and stability prevails. “The people of Uganda should be assured that UPDF in fulfilling its mandate and working together with the other security forces, shall not allow any obstructions to this end state, local or foreign.”
Also at the core of the deliberations was Uganda’s role in peacekeeping beyond its borders, particularly in fragile Somalia.
The meeting was satisfied with the regional security situation and lauded the continued success achieved by the UPDF Contingent operating under Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The meeting reflected on the recent twin bombings in Mogadishu that killed over 300 people to renew the Ugandan peacekeeper’s resolve to support the Somali people in the fight against terrorism, and the building of the Somali national security institutions, especially the Army.