There is no tribal balance in the UPDF and Police
Nov 01, 2009
THE Government has delivered on several fronts, however, the management of our national forces has remained the same especially in terms of balancing tribes occupying various ranks.
Bobo Mutanywana
THE Government has delivered on several fronts, however, the management of our national forces has remained the same especially in terms of balancing tribes occupying various ranks.
Ugandans would wish to see the UPDF and the Police balanced, based on tribe and regions with equal opportunities. However, at present it is mainly people from two tribes that occupy the important places in the forces.
On Independence Day, the President recognised heroes, but majority were coming from Buganda region and were UPDF soldiers. They were recognised with ranks of Lt colonels and majors.
The same thing happens each time there are promotions two tribes — Baganda and Banyankole get the promotions causing imbalance in the forces. Both the Police and the Army belong to the Baganda and Banyankole, the rest of the tribes are hardly represented in top positions.
However, there are also other tribes that struggled to remove dictatorial regimes and such tribes include the Bakonzo in western Uganda. Most of the Bakonzo in the army serve as privates.
The other tribe that helped in the liberation of Uganda are the Bagisu, but most of them serve as lower level cadres in the Police and the UPDF. In addition, people from West Nile also worked hard to liberate Uganda from dictatorial regimes. However, when it comes to promotion, there is hardly any West Niler considered.
The other tribe that took part in the struggle to liberate Uganda are the Karimojong. However, very few sons of Karamoja occupy top positions in the army and Police.
Therefore, the Government should develop benchmarks that recognise the efforts of other tribes without segregation of any kind. The Constitution talks of equal rights for every Ugandan in all aspects of life.
The only way to achieve balance in the army and the Police is to distribute positions of power fairly to all tribes in Uganda. Qualified personnel from other tribes should also be considered to take some top positions in the army and the Police.
The writer is a community development officer in a people’s livelihood improvement NGO
THE Government has delivered on several fronts, however, the management of our national forces has remained the same especially in terms of balancing tribes occupying various ranks.
Ugandans would wish to see the UPDF and the Police balanced, based on tribe and regions with equal opportunities. However, at present it is mainly people from two tribes that occupy the important places in the forces.
On Independence Day, the President recognised heroes, but majority were coming from Buganda region and were UPDF soldiers. They were recognised with ranks of Lt colonels and majors.
The same thing happens each time there are promotions two tribes — Baganda and Banyankole get the promotions causing imbalance in the forces. Both the Police and the Army belong to the Baganda and Banyankole, the rest of the tribes are hardly represented in top positions.
However, there are also other tribes that struggled to remove dictatorial regimes and such tribes include the Bakonzo in western Uganda. Most of the Bakonzo in the army serve as privates.
The other tribe that helped in the liberation of Uganda are the Bagisu, but most of them serve as lower level cadres in the Police and the UPDF. In addition, people from West Nile also worked hard to liberate Uganda from dictatorial regimes. However, when it comes to promotion, there is hardly any West Niler considered.
The other tribe that took part in the struggle to liberate Uganda are the Karimojong. However, very few sons of Karamoja occupy top positions in the army and Police.
Therefore, the Government should develop benchmarks that recognise the efforts of other tribes without segregation of any kind. The Constitution talks of equal rights for every Ugandan in all aspects of life.
The only way to achieve balance in the army and the Police is to distribute positions of power fairly to all tribes in Uganda. Qualified personnel from other tribes should also be considered to take some top positions in the army and the Police.
The writer is a community development officer in a people’s livelihood improvement NGO