As we usher in 2012, we are mindful that Uganda will be celebrating 50 years since it gained Independence from colonial rule. The UPDF is mindful of the unfinished business, most notably domestic issues like the few guns remaining in the hands of the Karimajong warriors. Overall though, gun and cattle rustling in Karamoja is today a thing of the past, thanks to the community vigilance and their cooperation with the UPDF.
In 2001, when the President of Uganda and Commander in Chief promised to professionalise the UPDF, the main objective was to build an effective, efficient, accountable and professional national defence force. We are glad to share with the citizens of Uganda, the results of this programme.
To start with, Ugandans are witnessing a fully-consolidated national security. UPDF has been able to end about two decades of armed insurgencies and terrorism that had condemned 1.8 million of our people into Internally Displaced Peoples camps.
This did not only subject them to unfavourable conditions but also disrupted development. This is now a thing of the past. Northern Uganda that had borne the biggest brunt of the LRA menace has recovered and continues to undergo transformation.
In the North East, the old menace of Karimajong warriors is almost over and the few warriors who still have guns must know by now, that their days are numbered. Luckily, the UPDF is deployed to make sure no more guns are coming in. Besides, there is outstanding cooperation between the border countries of Sudan and Kenya.
The UPDF remains steadfast in efforts to total modernisation as a critical element. There are accomplishments worthy of note. At the professional level, the UPDF has greatly managed to improve capacity to manage the human resource. Ugandans may recall the ghost soldiers’ story which fortunately today is part of history. Similarly, transportation of logistics, storage and distribution of materials and supplies has greatly improved.
Likewise, the UPDF is seriously undertaking continuously improved training.
However,
the challenge of violence will remain a matter of police, but since the
Constitution mandates the army to act when called upon, we will always
be ready and available to serve and respond to that call, to defend
Ugandans. My advice is for every Ugandan to be a peaceful citizen and go
to courts of law to address grievances. Violence does not create jobs,
food or opportunities. Instead, it causes anarchy and anarchy is a
matter Ugandans don’t deserve to experiment ever again.
At the regional level, the UPDF continues to consolidate efforts in fulfillment of Pan African obligation. It also works with other regional armies to end forces of terror in the region. The UPDF, for example, continues to work with regional armed forces to end the LRA menace that, to-date, has about 200 guns from the original 3,000 guns in 2002.
Like the LRA, the ADF and al-Shabaab menace remains an unfinished agenda. With our brothers in Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan and the recent 100 American Commandoes’ support, Joseph Kony’s LRA will soon be completely wiped out. LRA no longer has the capacity to cause havoc from Central African Republic. It is playing a survival game with no ability to confront our forces or sister forces. The ADF was also defeated out of Uganda as early as 2007 and is likely not to return.
On Somalia, UPDF is proud to have been the first African country to respond to an African call, by contributing troops to the war-torn region of the Horn of Africa in Somalia. The UPDF and Burundian forces gave a September Ramathan present to the region by liberating Mogadishu. The peace, stability and opportunities that are beginning to show, are as a result of these Heroes in the Horn. I salute and pay tribute to the troops that serve in Somalia and those that have died while on duty. That is the price we pay for liberation.
The UPDF will continue to do its part as part of global efforts against global terrorism when called upon to fight. All we want is international support, condemnation and isolation of terror and sanctions to those who do not play by the requirements of peace and security on the global scene. We will continue to work with all peace-loving citizens to ensure peace and support for our county, our region, the African continent and the international community.
The UPDF promises to consolidate the respect for human rights, especially through strengthening the civil-military relations. We will continue to build on our achievements to solve the remaining challenges. We will also continue to consolidate capabilities necessary for UPDF to improve peace and security. I wish all Ugandans a fruitful, peaceful and prosperous 2012.