Respect ‘People Power:’ Kahinda Otafiire Tells UPDF Officers

Internal Affairs Minister Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire says the national army, the UPDF, and other security organs must respect and work with the people because they have the strength and power to safeguard national security.

Minister Otafiire, the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war veteran known for speaking his mind, says the citizens of any nation play a key role. They are the first and most vital line of defence, he added.

Otafiire, also the Ruhinda County MP, was addressing UPDF officers of Intake Three at the National Defence College Uganda (NDC-U).

The retired general lectured the officers on Uganda’s institutional security framework. He stressed how pivotal “a people-centred approach to national security” is.

“The security of any country depends on intelligence, diplomacy, and the security forces but it is the population that helps coordinate intelligence and enables the security forces to consolidate it,” Otafiire lectured during a session attended by senior college staff, Dean of Studies Brig Gen Kefa Nangeso, UPDF Brig Gen Dr Stephen Kusasira, and Professor Murindwa Rutanga.

“Human beings are the first line of defence.”

He then delved in the importance of developing human capacity for the seven pillars of human security – food, economy, health, environment, politics, personal safety, and community.

“It is the duty of leadership to change the way we think. Security means wealth and prosperity. When you provide security to the people, they will take care of themselves,” submitted Otafiire.

It is these pillars of human security, the general continued, that will build “truly sovereign national defence systems” for Africa and other developing continents.

He went on to challenge strategic thinkers across the African continent to push for policies that “strengthen institutions, empower citizens, and enforce discipline within the armed forces.”

“It is the duty of leadership to change the way we think. Security means wealth and prosperity. When you provide security to the people, they will take care of themselves,” he said.

“Strength comes from the people. Empowered citizens and a disciplined army create a mighty force.”

For that reason, Otafiire further lectured, UPDF officers must seek to engage communities – diverse as they may be – and ensure that inclusive dialogue is part of security initiatives.

Otafiire is known for speaking his mind — even at the risk of being misunderstood by the powerful and influential members of the Museveni government.

For example, he has opposed a plan to amend the constitution to stop Ugandans from electing a president; he has openly opposed first son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions (See Details Here, There and Over There).

He also blasted Speaker Anita Among for using h@te speech charges against Ugandans demanding for accountability, as reported Here.

As a result, Otafiire has reportedly continued to fall out favour with the president. For example, reports emerged that his hard-hitting letter to President Museveni in which he was opposing the Russian company’s deal for digital trackers and number plates was hidden from the president, as reported Here.

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