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Deputy CDF Gen. Okiding hails Museveni over Uganda's peace and stability
Parliament has commended President Yoweri Museveni for his leadership in maintaining peace and security in Uganda, with lawmakers and military officials crediting his 40 years in power for the country’s stability.
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and UPDF representative, Lt Gen. Sam Okiding, addresses Parliament on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. (Courtesy: MODVA)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda Parliament has commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his leadership, including peace and security in the country.
The appreciation was endorsed on Tuesday, August 11, during a plenary session chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa.
Addressing the House, Lt Gen. Sam Okiding, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF) and UPDF representative, thanked President Museveni for his “mighty leadership” over the past 40 years.
The President, in his State of the Nation Address delivered on June 4, prioritised security and thanked the nation for its role in maintaining it.
In his submission during the debate on President Yoweri Museveni's State of the Nation Address, Lt Gen. Okiding, who is also one of the army representatives in Parliament, hailed the UPDF under the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. (Rtd) President Museveni, for its tireless efforts in keeping Uganda secure and stable.
A release from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs states that the D/CDF also underscored the role of citizens in building the national defence, which he said has enabled Uganda to enjoy peace and security.
“We have been able to protect this country with the little we have for the past 40 years. I want to thank all of the Ugandans for enabling him (President Museveni) to build a robust National Defence.
World over, National Defense is built by citizens; it's built by everybody. For the last 40 years, Uganda has experienced high levels of peace and stability,” Lt Gen. Okiding stated.
A release from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs states that the D/CDF also underscored the role of citizens in building the national defence, which he said has enabled Uganda to enjoy peace and security.
“We have been able to protect this country with the little we have for the past 40 years. I want to thank all of the Ugandans for enabling him (President Museveni) to build a robust National Defence.
World over, National Defense is built by citizens; it's built by everybody. For the last 40 years, Uganda has experienced high levels of peace and stability,” Lt Gen. Okiding stated.
The UPDF he added also has a well-developed national security system which has put Uganda on the us on the "internationally" map. "Today we are a very critical security asset; everybody's eyes on Uganda,” Lt Gen. Okiding remarked.
He attributed the achievements to the years of NRM leadership under President Museveni and the citizens of Uganda, and urged Ugandans to guard the peace jealously.
“As a country, we should jealously defend what we have, because most people don’t have even a quarter of what we have as a country,” he concluded.
Relatedly, the Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs (Veterans), Huda Oleru, assured the people of the Karamoja sub-region of continued protection by the UPDF amid concerns over insecurity.
“UPDF has a full formation in Karamoja; we have a barracks in Moroto and units in other nearby districts, and basically it is to protect the Karimojongs and neighbouring districts; therefore, the security which UPDF has created in Karamoja will not be destabilised,” she confirmed.
He attributed the achievements to the years of NRM leadership under President Museveni and the citizens of Uganda, and urged Ugandans to guard the peace jealously.
“As a country, we should jealously defend what we have, because most people don’t have even a quarter of what we have as a country,” he concluded.
Relatedly, the Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs (Veterans), Huda Oleru, assured the people of the Karamoja sub-region of continued protection by the UPDF amid concerns over insecurity.
“UPDF has a full formation in Karamoja; we have a barracks in Moroto and units in other nearby districts, and basically it is to protect the Karimojongs and neighbouring districts; therefore, the security which UPDF has created in Karamoja will not be destabilised,” she confirmed.