The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbadi, has said the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has supported democracy to deepen to the extent that anybody can dream of leading this country but nobody can destabilise it. 

He made the remarks on Wednesday, January 23, during the national launch of the Defence Forces Week at Mbuya Army Headquarters in Kampala ahead of the 43rd Tarehe Sita anniversary. 

Mbadi stated in his speech that UPDF has an unmatched record of performance guided by a clear vision and leadership of securing the future. 

“Therefore, to accelerate Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, I assure Ugandans that UPDF remains steadfast in contributing to Uganda’s journey to modernity while contributing to regional stability,” he said. 

He thanked President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the commander in chief of the UPDF, for his “founding father’s role, stewardship and this credible and formidable force from scratch”. 

Mbadi also thanked the people of Uganda for the support they have untiringly rendered to the UPDF throughout its various stages of development, and the UPDF itself for having a revolutionary spirit of achieving with little where others had failed. 

“We salute those who have paid the ultimate price for the cause and freedom we now enjoy and as we gather here, we all know that Uganda has sailed through and recovered from the most violent and turbulent storms in our history. But suffice to say, we have fully achieved our mission to pacify the country and laid a very firm foundation to steer the economy for social transformation,” he said. 

In general terms, he said, the security of the people, property and borders has been “fully restored” and the UPDF continues now to plan more for operations other than war to ensure not just physical security, but total human security. 

Army Week activities include medical camps, sanitation and hygiene activities, infrastructure development, sports and recreation, mindset change engagements and sponsorships.