The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has condemned Members of Parliament across the political divide who were given military escorts for their personal security in the wake of armed criminality last year; that have started misusing them.
According to the statement issued by UPDF spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso, the act by MPs to misuse soldiers is contrary to the reason they were assigned and is likely to involve them in compromising yet unnecessary and avoidable violence between the contending political groups.
The army therefore directed its soldiers not to be misused and where it is found to happen, they will be withdrawn.
“The UPDF leadership directs that it’s soldiers should not be misused and where this is found to happen, they will be promptly withdrawn,” said Brig Byekwaso.
She added, “the contenders for political office should not involve and/or misuse these soldiers and policemen who were assigned purely for a different and clear purpose of ensuring personal security of the Members of Parliament.”
Byekwaso also said that this does not only apply to MPs but all others contending for political office and are armed or have armed escorts.
As 2021 general elections draw closer, violence is already witnessed in primaries for example in Sembabule district as ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party gets ready to elect flag bearers on Friday.
