National Security Is Everyone’s Responsibility – Major General Francis Okello

The Commandant National Defence College – Uganda, Major General Francis Okello has challenged leaders in Mbale City and Mbale District to play an active role in ensuring security in all the spheres of their lives.

 

“Security is key and touches all our spheres of life and lack of it threatens us physically and our well-being including emotionally. Insecurity can be physical and or socio-economic including health threats. Being secure is being free from threats or danger and we must all be ready to play our part by engaging in and supporting government policies, programs, and interventions including mobilization, to make ourselves, our families our societies, and our country secure,” said Maj Gen Okello.

 

Maj Gen Okello made the remarks during an engagement between NDC-U Course members who are on a research tour across the country and leaders from Mbale city and Mbale district at Mbale district headquarters.

 

Maj Gen Okello remarked that the strategic reason the government encourages investments in economic ventures and instituting strategic programs like Youth livelihood programs and the Parish Development Model (PDM), is to create jobs and uplift the economic livelihood, improve household income and welfare of society. “PDM is a “vehicle” that has direct and indirect implications and contributions to national security. Increases in household income could translate into increased purchasing power leading to indirect revenue due to increased consumer spending. These positive effects create a more peaceful and socio-economically satisfied society appreciative of government services,” Maj Gen Okello added.

 

He noted that national security is not only about the UPDF and Uganda Police providing physical security but it is also about every Ugandan knowing and playing his or her role, and where appropriate contributing to some kind of productive economic activity.

 

The Resident City Commissioner Mbale City, John Rex Achilla said he is glad that UPDF has established a National Defence College for national security and strategic leadership practitioners that will be carrying out research from the grassroots for policy formulation and providing ideas that can support or improve service delivery.

 

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner(D/RDC) Mbale District Ms Naome Nakawala congratulated the President and Commander-in-Chief H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for building a professional army as he promised in his manifesto. “Training is one way of professionalization and NDC-U is a clear manifestation that UPDF is now professional,” she remarked.

 

This is the second cohort of course members by the National Defence College -Uganda since its inception in 2021.