Soldiers warned against illicit wealth as Air Force band graduates

Soldiers and men attached to the Ugandan People's Defence Force Air Force, (UPDF-AF) have been cautioned against acquisition of illicit wealth, which jeopardises their professionalism and code of conduct.

The warning was sounded by Brig. Gen. Julius Bagonza, the director personnel and administration while passing out 40 Air force military band officers during a brief function held in Entebbe municipality on Friday evening.

Airforce band passout

Brig. Gen. Bagonza said some soldiers are being sought after by businessmen to enhance their own enterprises as well as criminals seeking to use soldiers to enhance their own criminal interests.

Airforce band passout.

"Why are some UPDF soldiers so desperate to become rich and are willing to use irregular means to do so," Bagonza wondered before citing pressure from families and criminals who always intend to lure soldiers into dubious deals. "When you see people who are well off, first study how they have made it before jumping onto the wagon of assuming wealth is achieved in a day," he advised.

Meanwhile, the director personnel and administration appreciated the work of the UPDF Airforce band which he said, plays a key role during state and VVIP functions. Captain Musa Musoke Seguya the acting director of UPDF Airforce military band said, for a person to join the military band they must be a Ugandan who has undergone the basic military training, mentally and physically fit.

"They must be able to read musical notes and play all instruments," he intimated. According to Seguya, the course does not only entail band sessions, but also other civic education such as patriotism plus business orientation among other spheres of life. The 40 band officers passed out, make a total of 120 soldiers in the Airforce military band. However, Seguya said, the force is looking at recruiting not less than a total of 200 personnel in the near future.

Recruitment of band officers is done on an annual basis, as per the recruitment of the army. The band can play at any function be it civil or military.