Reserve Force is a militia!
Mar 12, 2004
SIR— Reference is made to Mr Matthew Ofwono’s letter published in The New Vision of Monday
SIR— Reference is made to Mr Matthew Ofwono’s letter published in The New Vision of Monday, page 11, titled “Why recruit a new into the UPDF when there is a Reserve Force?â€
Many times, I have read with concern the confused understanding of the Reserve Force in this country and the attempt to imply that the Reserve Force is different from the current militia groups being recruited, trained and deployed. Let me use this space to clear the air for all citizens who may not know the composition of the Reserve Force.
Chapter 3, Article 17, sub-section 2, further states, “It is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to undergo military training for the defence of this Constitution and the protection of the territorial integrity of Uganda whenever called upon to do so.â€
Every Ugandan therefore who has undergone any level of military training is part of the Reserve Force and can be called upon to perform this noble constitutional obligation whenever there is need.
The Reserve Force is a standby force that has been trained over years and includes, through the various chakamchaka courses, the LDUs, the Arrow Group, the Amuka, the vigilante, the homeguards, veterans and whatever other name they may go by.
They stay in their homes and go about their daily business especially in the peaceful parts of Uganda. In conflict areas, they guard the communities as zonal forces while the UPDF pursues the enemies. They can be mobilised any time to take up a national call whenever there is need. This is, therefore, no ghost force.
I hope that Mr Ofwono and those who thought like him have a clear picture now.
Maj Shaban Bantariza
Defence/UPDF Spokesman
Many times, I have read with concern the confused understanding of the Reserve Force in this country and the attempt to imply that the Reserve Force is different from the current militia groups being recruited, trained and deployed. Let me use this space to clear the air for all citizens who may not know the composition of the Reserve Force.
Chapter 3, Article 17, sub-section 2, further states, “It is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to undergo military training for the defence of this Constitution and the protection of the territorial integrity of Uganda whenever called upon to do so.â€
Every Ugandan therefore who has undergone any level of military training is part of the Reserve Force and can be called upon to perform this noble constitutional obligation whenever there is need.
The Reserve Force is a standby force that has been trained over years and includes, through the various chakamchaka courses, the LDUs, the Arrow Group, the Amuka, the vigilante, the homeguards, veterans and whatever other name they may go by.
They stay in their homes and go about their daily business especially in the peaceful parts of Uganda. In conflict areas, they guard the communities as zonal forces while the UPDF pursues the enemies. They can be mobilised any time to take up a national call whenever there is need. This is, therefore, no ghost force.
I hope that Mr Ofwono and those who thought like him have a clear picture now.
Maj Shaban Bantariza
Defence/UPDF Spokesman