Aronda’s utterances were political!
Nov 04, 2005
SIR — I read with disbelief when a newly appointed and presumably educated Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima warned retired army officers, not to oppose president Museveni.
SIR — I read with disbelief when a newly appointed and presumably educated Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima warned retired army officers, not to oppose president Museveni.
This is my idea of a modern army:
lIt should be non-partisan and apolitical and ready to take orders and advice from the commander-in-chief regardless of his or her political ideology because he or she is democratically elected.
lPriority should always be to defend the nation.
lRespect for former members and veterans whether senior or junior, who retired honourably.
lconstantly training and updating itself with the ever-changing military science and tactics and well read in local and international laws.
lshould be subordinate to the Government and civilian authorities.
lshould be willing and able to serve any democratically elected president regardless of national or tribal origin, colour or gender.
If what i read in the papers is not distorted, I am reliably informed that Gen. Aronda Nyakairima is a well-trained officer, who attended various courses internationally, including Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, USA, and the equally prestigious Nasser Military Academy in Egypt. Besides, he claims to read a lot of military history and strategy.
I believe he reads internationally recognised history.
The context of modernisation in the UPDF is then questionable based on Nyakairima’s recent remarks.
i wish to draw some contrast based on internationally recognised armies.
In Britain and the USA, most of the officers serving in the current “war against terror†in Afghanistan and Iraq, don’t belong to the Labour or Republican parties, yet they have the sense of maturity not to rebel against any orders from the appointing authority.
On returning after their tours of duty they are free to voice their political disagreements.
In America and other internationally recognised armies, serving and retired generals, can carry out their military duties to the nation regardless of their political affiliations.
those that have retired with honours are periodically briefed on matters of national security, thus being patriotic. Retired officers like Maj. Gen. Muntu, Maj. Gen Muhwezi and Maj. Gen Otafiire are required to be periodically briefed on such matters.
Retired officers are usually consulted and called upon to serve in periods of crises, national disasters and national concerns.
hence military solidarity is reinforced. In Uganda’s case, officers like Mugisha Muntu, Kiiza Besigye, Kahinda Otafiire, Moses Ali, Okwiri Rabwoni, can be recalled by the president into active service if he deems it fit and they are bound to oblige, regardless of their current political affiliations.
Promotions in a modern army and retirements are not based on who falls out of favour with the president or the commanding general. they are based on their scale of training, emotional, psychological and physiological capabilities. nyakairima should be careful what he says or does.
Brian K. Kaitare
brian_kaitare@yahoo.com
This is my idea of a modern army:
lIt should be non-partisan and apolitical and ready to take orders and advice from the commander-in-chief regardless of his or her political ideology because he or she is democratically elected.
lPriority should always be to defend the nation.
lRespect for former members and veterans whether senior or junior, who retired honourably.
lconstantly training and updating itself with the ever-changing military science and tactics and well read in local and international laws.
lshould be subordinate to the Government and civilian authorities.
lshould be willing and able to serve any democratically elected president regardless of national or tribal origin, colour or gender.
If what i read in the papers is not distorted, I am reliably informed that Gen. Aronda Nyakairima is a well-trained officer, who attended various courses internationally, including Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, USA, and the equally prestigious Nasser Military Academy in Egypt. Besides, he claims to read a lot of military history and strategy.
I believe he reads internationally recognised history.
The context of modernisation in the UPDF is then questionable based on Nyakairima’s recent remarks.
i wish to draw some contrast based on internationally recognised armies.
In Britain and the USA, most of the officers serving in the current “war against terror†in Afghanistan and Iraq, don’t belong to the Labour or Republican parties, yet they have the sense of maturity not to rebel against any orders from the appointing authority.
On returning after their tours of duty they are free to voice their political disagreements.
In America and other internationally recognised armies, serving and retired generals, can carry out their military duties to the nation regardless of their political affiliations.
those that have retired with honours are periodically briefed on matters of national security, thus being patriotic. Retired officers like Maj. Gen. Muntu, Maj. Gen Muhwezi and Maj. Gen Otafiire are required to be periodically briefed on such matters.
Retired officers are usually consulted and called upon to serve in periods of crises, national disasters and national concerns.
hence military solidarity is reinforced. In Uganda’s case, officers like Mugisha Muntu, Kiiza Besigye, Kahinda Otafiire, Moses Ali, Okwiri Rabwoni, can be recalled by the president into active service if he deems it fit and they are bound to oblige, regardless of their current political affiliations.
Promotions in a modern army and retirements are not based on who falls out of favour with the president or the commanding general. they are based on their scale of training, emotional, psychological and physiological capabilities. nyakairima should be careful what he says or does.
Brian K. Kaitare
brian_kaitare@yahoo.com