Stop disheartening UPDF

THE article in The Monitor by P. Matsiko wa Mucoori's of Dec. 15, 2000 raises very interesting revelations like: l The president's motive in recruiting his son into the UPDF is increasingly becoming suspect. l Muhoozi was not recruited openly. l The Army to start recruiting university graduates. l Which UPDF regulation allows a civilian to recruit people secretly? l There is a special mode of recruiting into the PPU. Doubting Thomas Matsiko writes with the acidity and luxury that can only be afforded by an on-the-fence by-stander. While the author has the right to enjoy his freedom of expression in an environment not created by God of course, he would be advised to spare some of his caustic insinuations injurious to the spirit of sacrifice and commitment that have built and sustained the UPDF. It is this spirit he is dampening which has seen Uganda through worse times. It is true the UPDF is not a bed of roses or a monastery of angels. However, Matsiko and fellow sceptics should rest assured that graduates who enter the UPDF, through whatever entry point, enter with their eyes wide open after a cold-blooded decision. They know the opportunity cost: either to join the long queue of soft-life seekers and detached writers of newspaper commentaries, or dive deep into the turbulent waters of national defence and security so that critics can get something to comment about in their newspapers and FM stations. NRA was not built through the writing of beautiful semantics in newspaper missives but by blood and iron. Prophet Matsiko's spectre of the PPU resisting the arrest of the UPDF for four months is the most bizarre figment of the mind of doomsday sayer. And after the four months? But why four months anyway? In the last leg of his mission on earth, Jesus was perturbed by the degree of scepticism and disbelief exhibited by his disciples. After 15 years of living with the UPDF in charge and Movement politics on the stage, the thought that Matsiko and fellow travellers can still portend such prognostications in modern Uganda is absurd. One last appeal: as we enjoy our freedom of expression, we should refrain from pouring cold water on the enthusiasm and spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by those who have decided to tread the path of resistance. Criticism yes; but to pour away the baby with the bath water is the height of absurdity. Do not pull the UPDF down. RO5614LT B Ocen. Graduate Soldier (UPDF).