East African Gazette
Entebbe
General Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), has chaired the Defense Forces Council at State House, Entebbe.
During the event, he also inaugurated the UPDF establishment for 2021, signed the executive order, and was presented with four copies of the UPDF Establishment book.
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Alongside high-ranking military officials, the president emphasized the strategic decisions that will contribute to strengthening national security and improving the efficiency of the UPDF.
This meeting followed a High Command session held on Friday, February 16, 2024.
The event also marked the unveiling of the UPDF Establishment 2021, which represents a significant achievement in the modernization and optimization of Uganda’s defense structure.
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During his address, the President likened the UPDF Establishment 2021 to medical professionals, emphasizing the vital role they play in safeguarding the well-being of the nation.
He highlighted that just as doctors are responsible for maintaining their patients’ health and providing necessary treatment, the UPDF’s main objective is to ensure peace and security in Uganda.
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“This UPDF Establishment is like public health and medical treatment. In the case of sickness, public health is done by observing elements of nutrition, vaccination, clean water, and all these are done for someone to avoid sickness. But in case he or she gets sick, there are also curative measures,” he said.
President Museveni stressed the significance of defense doctrine and the established systems in ensuring proper planning and execution to safeguard peace and security throughout the nation.
“The doctrine of Defense and the establishment are the structures of how you are going to preserve peace and security in Uganda. And if there is a need for treatment, then what and who is to do what,” he added.
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The President stressed that the launched UPDF Establishment is a visionary approach to safeguarding peace and security in Uganda.
“We need to understand that the diagnosis and the prescription for a cure are very much influenced by science. If we were to go back to 1800AD, the establishment which we are talking about here is similar to the armies of that time, mainly the European armies,” he said.
At the Council meeting, the president bestowed a plaque and certificate to the family of the late Lt. Gen. (Rtd). Pecos Kutesa, in recognition of his exceptional service as the inaugural Chairman of the UPDF establishment committee.
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He paid tribute to the late whom he described as a revered military figure renowned for his bravery and contributions to Uganda’s liberation struggle.
“Late Lt. Gen. (Rtd). Pecos Kutesa was one of the officers that we recruited under the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA). He came and joined us in the bush, and when I noticed his bravery, it was when we attacked Kakiri on the 6th of April in 1981,” he said.
“I saw him crawling in a very professional way to capture the machine gun. He was moving really professionally. That is why, when I was going out for the first time in June 1981, I put him as one of my escorts close to the lake to go to Kenya,” the president continued.
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President Museveni shared with the council that the late Kutesa was actively involved in various liberation battles, such as the capture of 736 rifles in Masindi and the participation in the Kabamba battles, among others.
Gen. Pecos Kutesa joined the armed struggle with the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) to combat the regime of the late President Idi Amin Dada until its overthrow in 1979.
He retired from the UPDF on August 5, 2021, after a distinguished military career extending over forty-six (46) years and passed away on August 17, 2021.
During his speech, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, praised the extensive seven-year process that resulted in the development of the UPDF Establishment 2021.
Highlighting its collaborative nature, the CDF emphasized the document’s emphasis on unity at the strategic level and operational effectiveness, aligning with decentralization principles.
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“The UPDF Establishment 2021 document enables changes of merging of some UPDF departments, the creation of new ones, and discarding others to improve command, control and administration of the Forces,” Mbadi said.
Vincent Ssempijja, the Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, emphasized the significance of the UPDF Establishment 2021 in enhancing organizational efficiency and operational capabilities. Drawing on insights from past defense reform efforts, he highlighted that the establishment outlines a vision for a modern, agile, and resilient defense force.
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“The launch of the UPDF Establishment 2021 signals Uganda’s commitment to ensuring national security and safeguarding its sovereignty in an ever-evolving global landscape. With a focus on efficiency, adaptability, and synergy, the UPDF continues to evolve as a formidable guardian of Uganda’s interests and aspirations,” he said.
The Minister commended President Museveni for his efforts in maintaining peace and stability in Uganda and the region.
He noted that this has created a strong foundation for the rapid socioeconomic transformation that Uganda is currently enjoying, his (President) able leadership