The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Defence Council, sitting at the Land Force Headquarters, has elected ten representatives to the 12th Parliament.
Those elected are Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Lt Gen James Mugira, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Brig 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.
In his address, President Museveni emphasised that successful political leadership is anchored in identifying and addressing the people’s real and solvable needs.
“Political leadership which succeeds does so because leaders accurately identify solvable needs and then solve them,” he said.
Reflecting on the just-concluded elections, President Museveni noted a resurgence of public enthusiasm reminiscent of the 1996 polls.
“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, adding that the renewed confidence was rooted in the NRM’s historical approach to addressing Uganda’s challenges.
The President cited the establishment of a disciplined national army as the first critical problem the NRM resolved.
“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 recalled an incident in Semuto where three soldiers killed civilians, noting that such acts were commonplace 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.”
He said the second major challenge was sectarianism, which he described as a destructive legacy of colonialism and early post-independence politics.
“Uganda had been destroyed by sectarianism of tribe and religion,” he said. “Political parties were based on religion or tribe. DP was for Catholics, UPC for Protestants, and Kabaka Yekka for Protestants in Buganda and some Muslims.”
He explained that this fragmentation made it difficult for any party to secure a governing majority, citing the 1962 elections where no party attained the required numbers to form government alone.
President Museveni identified economic collapse and shortages as the third challenge addressed by the NRM, noting that merchandise had since returned to shops. He also highlighted infrastructure development efforts beginning 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 said.
The President urged the newly elected UPDF legislators to remain active and focused on addressing the people’s needs.
“You must be clear about the solvable problems of our people and work to solve them,” he said, and commended the UPDF for its role in ensuring peaceful elections.
During the same event, President Museveni commissioned three officer cadets to the rank of Second Lieutenant. They include 2Lt Bazalaki Tikula, a graduate of the Gen Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Sri Lanka, and 2Lt Moses Ekoi and 2Lt Piloya Vivian, who graduated from the Tanzania Military Academy.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, said the UPDF remains central to Uganda’s peace and 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.”
Present were: the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth; Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs), Hon. Huda Oleru Abason; the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rosette Byenyoma; Service Commanders, the Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, Members of the Joint Staff, Commanders, Generals and Senior Officers among others.
