First defence, security expo in honour of Gen Aronda Nyakairima

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On Tuesday, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) held the first Gen. Aronda Nyakairima memorial lecture alongside the first Kampala Defence and Security Expo 2024 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

The three-day event, which was officially opened by President Yoweri Museveni, was organised by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs in memory of Gen. Aronda, who passed away on December 12, 2015, while on official duty.

The late Gen. Nyakairima held various positions in the country, including internal affairs minister and Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF).

At the exhibition, the President was received by the state minister for Defence, Huda Oleru Abason, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and was taken around by Lt. Gen. James Mugira, the chief executive officer of the National Enterprises Corporation.

The President started with a tour of the defence and security exhibition of military hardware from the army industries in Nakasongola district.

MEMORIAL LECTURE

President Yoweri Museveni delivered the keynote address at the Gen. Aronda Nyakairima memorial lecture.

During his remarks, the President warned the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) against corruption, saying, despite its achievements, he has noticed some weaknesses.

The President cited theft of army fuel and wondered why the army was in some cases getting fuel from fuel stations outside the army barracks.

He also mentioned cases of theft of army rations, pension money, allowances and salaries of soldiers. Dressed in army fatigue, the President warned that there were rampant corruption incidents in the selection of personnel who go for external missions, such as the one in Somalia, which he said had led to poor performance and mistakes in the operational areas.

He, however, added: “Of course, the majority of the army are clean, that is how we end up getting this information.”

Still, on corruption, the President said there was also the misuse of army resources, and explained that the current CDF had started fighting some incidents a while back when he took over the commander of Special Forces Command (sfc) and as commander of the Land Forces.

NEW BARRACKS

Museveni said Gen. Kainerugaba was able to use the money that was being misused, to build new barracks for soldiers. Gen. Kainerugaba attended the lecture together with his wife Charlotte.

Other senior officers present were Gen. David Muhoozi, the state minister for internal affairs; Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the state minister for trade and former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kaihura, among others.

Museveni said Gen. Kainerugaba may not want to blow his own trumpet. “He may not talk about it because he may not want to boast, but I know. That is why I appointed him as commander of Land Forces because when I made him commander of SFC, there was money that was being used as ‘airtime’. If he wants, he can tell you how he converted the ‘airtime’ into barracks without new money,” he remarked.

The President told the guests, the majority of whom were UPDF generals, that as they remember the patriotic commanders, they needed to find ‘these elements that cause this pollution’.

Another mistake he pointed out in the UPDF was what he termed as the failure of some commanders to implement the National Resistance Army (NRA) collective welfare formula.

PROFESSIONALISING THE ARMY

The President, however, commended the late general for professionalising the army, describing him as outstanding in discipline, ideology and management skills.

He said Nyakairima’s leadership legacy had influenced many in the UPDF.

Museveni cited several examples where he excelled, including starting Wazalendo, the army SACCOS, that now is the biggest in the country with a portfolio of sh1 trillion.

“Gen Nyakairima implemented the formula of the Wazalendo, has it not helped the soldiers?” he asked.

The President wants the army to build on this and push forward other schemes, such as building houses for soldiers. Museveni also wants the promotion of the construction of army schools for soldiers’ children, health units for soldiers and their families and salary loans for soldiers’ children to attain private university education.

He said: “Feel the gaps and UPDF will be formidable.” The President hailed Gen. Nyakairima and his group of graduates, who he said helped to fill the gaps left behind by the mass deaths of combatant commanders in the bush war battles. He said this group was recruited in the second half of 1981.

Others included Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, who also attended the function, Kasula, Sande Mukulu, Bariyo Barigye, and Ndibarema, among others.

“On account of education and ability to write and read, they helped us to man the intelligence departments and serve as political commissars. The combat commanders were, mainly, the secondary school leavers and peasants,” he explained.

These, Museveni said, included the late Pecos Kutesa, Fred Mugisha, Patrick Lumumba, Steven Kashaka, Matayo Kyaligonza, Julius Kihaanda, Chefe Ali, Ivan Koreta, Samson Mande, Adam Wasswa, Peter Kerim and Benon Tumukunde, among others, who captured Kampala in 1986.

The only university graduate at the time was Tinyefuuza (Gen. David Sejusa), on the Western Axis commanding forces that included the 19th battalion of Peter Kerim at Biiso. He said the intellectuals, on account of better discipline, came to save the army, when many of the combat commanders died from natural causes.

“The new officers had better opportunities to develop organically, level by level, because of the facilities in the country and abroad, from cadet, platoon commanders’ course, staff college, National Defence College and professional courses.”

IMPROVED DISCIPLINE

The President explained that when Gen. Nyakairima became army chief, he improved discipline.

“Most important of all, Gen. Nyakairima was among those who understood our four ideological principles and three historical missions. It is those officers that fully understand our involvements in South Sudan, Congo, Somalia and other places,” he noted.

Gen. Kainerugaba noted that Gen. Nyakairima’s story, along with those of other heroes, provides a powerful example of courage, dedication and commitment.

“Honouring their legacy will inspire current and future leaders in both military and civilian spheres,” he noted.

SELFLESS SERVICE

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba said Gen. Nyakairima’s legacy exemplifies selfless service to the country.

“In remembering and honouring Gen. Nyakairima’s life and work, we are preserving our military and national history.”

“His leadership during critical moments impacted the outcomes of conflicts and national security. By remembering him, we preserve these lessons for future generations,” the CDF noted and highlighted how Nyakairima balanced power, responsibility and humility.

“By honouring him, we acknowledge the personal sacrifices he made, as did many other officers, the sacrifices of personal safety, health or even their lives for the greater good of this country,” he said, adding that Gen. Nyakairima’s legacy ensures his contributions are not forgotten.

Gen. Nyakairima is remembered for his role in defeating insurgency groups, including the Lord’s Resistance Army and Karamoja cattle rustlers.