Let's keep vigilant to never make any slip-ups against peace — CDF Muhoozi

YUMBE - In his message on Peace Day in West Nile, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kaineruga, urged the residents to be vigilant and never make any slip-ups that could prove costly.

Below is the General's full statement;

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), I join His Excellency the President of Uganda and Commander-In-Chief Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the entire government, and the people of Uganda to congratulate the people of the West Nile region on the third Peace Day celebrations that are being held in Yumbe District on Saturday, April 12, 2025. 

Decades of hard work 

Considering the tumultuous post-independence military-political history of Uganda, let alone the West Nile region, this occasion is truly inspiring. It is a just reward for decades of hard work for peace by stakeholders of all forms and shape, and as we can clearly observe, this has now ushered in the next phase of expedited socio-economic transformation.

More is yet to come, and the horizon is very exciting indeed. The great people and leaders of West Nile, more than anyone, deserve credit for the seismic shift in fortunes, and we profoundly applaud them.

Permit me to also thank the government of Uganda under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for striving to meet its part of the bargain. It takes two to tango.

We commend the Government for the construction and establishment of the regional referral hospital in Yumbe, which now makes it two referral hospitals in West Nile.

We salute Government for reinvigorating higher education in the region by establishing Muni national university in Arua which opened in 2013, the transformation of the regional road infrastructure which now serve as major economic arteries well beyond our borders into DRC and South Sudan, and connection of the region to the national power grid in 2024 for the first time in history.

The significant investments by Government to attain improved welfare and quality of life for the people in West Nile is thus applauded.

Heroic men and women 

It would be outrageous on my part if I did not allude to the influence and contribution of the heroic men and women in uniform for what Uganda, and West Nile has been able to achieve over the last many years of fundamental change in our country. 

The region’s experience is but merely a microcosm of what has happened to our motherland at different junctures of our contemporary history. That our people enjoy peace, and affluence today is only possible because of the selfless sacrifice by the combatant men and women of UPDF who this country is so blessed to have.

In fact, as we converge for the Peace Day in Yumbe this weekend, scores of our brave fighters are dug-in right across the international boundaries to the north and west in part to preserve the very achievements that we are celebrating on this special occasion.

We must never and can never afford to take these sacrifices for granted! We salute the valiant leadership and contribution of our forefathers and elders in the struggle for peace in West Nile and Uganda generally. Some of them have since passed on, but many are still here: Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Gen.Moses Ali, Gen. Salim Saleh, Gen. Katumba Wamala, Maj. Gen. Ali Bamuze, and Maj. Gen. Hussein Adda, our long serving commandant at General Headquarters Bombo.

The list is long, and I cannot enumerate all of it here. From their cue, we shall pick up what is left to be done and perform our best to add value and make it even better.

Therefore, as we celebrate the dividends of peace and development in West Nile, let us also keep vigilant so that we never make any slip-ups that could prove costly. Threats abound.

As I have already indicated, we live and survive in one of the most volatile regions of the world – the Great Lakes. The enemies of peace and progress are everywhere. They will pounce and maul us to smithereens if we let them. Hence, we must never lower our guard, and neither must we ever be found wanting when the situation calls for it.

The lessons 

The lesson from West Nile is that sustainable peace is possible when the people and their government collaborate effectively to combat and neutralise common fears as they emerge.

The same model has worked just as well in the rest of Uganda, and we shall continue to pursue that proven approach. The polarising security threats in the region are being proactively addressed, and working with our partners, there is great optimism that we will achieve lasting peace not only for Uganda but the entire region of East Africa.

I once again congratulate the people of West Nile for the tremendous progress made over the last twenty-three years of successful implementation of the Peace Agreement between the Uganda National Rescue Front II and the Government of Uganda.

As the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, I look forward to their continued support and collaboration so that together we maintain the peace, harmony, and transformation of our people.

The African revolutionary icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela encapsulated this best: let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

Let each know that for each of the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves. And just as well, our Lord Jesus Christ in Philippians 4:7 encourages us to present all our worries to the Almighty God.

This is because God does not only act as a protective force, but His peace guards our hearts and minds even in the most difficult or hopeless circumstances. Thank you and God bless Uganda!

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba 
cgsc (USA) ensp (RSA) 
Chief of Defence Forces (UPDF)