Bishop lauds UPDF over good discipline

By Francis Emorut
                                                                          
The overseer of National Fellowship of BornAgain Pentecostal (NFBP), Bishop Joshua Lwere, has hailed the UPDF over being a disciplined army. 

He said unlike the previous armies Uganda has had, the UPDF soldiers are not brutal but exhibit friendly behaviour towards the citizens.

He was speaking during the 5th annual Tarehe Sita thanksgiving breakfast at Army headquarters in Kampala on Friday.

Lwere recalled an incident when Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) soldier was about to cut his neck with a bayonet but the soldier was prevented by one officer who said leave that boy.

Bishop Joshua Lwere handing over a cheque of Sh5m towards orphans of UPDF to Gen. Elly Tumwiine during the fifth annual aTarehesita thanksgiving breakfast at Army headdquarters in Kampala on Feb 21, 2015. Photo/Francis Emorut

He told guests comprised of Government officials, UPDF soldiers, the children and the wives of the hard battled officers who have fought ADF, LRA rebels and the insurgents in South Sudan and Somalia among others that what saved him was that he was wearing a school uniform.

"Fortunately I was in uniform that is why I survived," Lwere said.

The overseer prayed for the wives and children of UPDF soldiers that they should always pray for the officers not to engage in bad behaviour of raping women while they are in missions.

The wives of UPDF officers singing during the fifth annual Tarehesita thanksgiving breakfast at Army headdquarters in Kampala on Feb 21, 2015. Photo/Francis Emorut

Lwere handed over a cheque of sh5m on behalf of Inter Religious Council of Uganda towards the children of the fallen army officers.

The deputy Premier Gen. Moses Ali urged Government to solve internal contradictions to avoid the country plunge into chaos.

"Internal contradictions which lead to internal conflicts must be addressed to avoid sliding the country what happened in the past," Ali who was a chief guest said.

The chief of defence forces (CDF) Gen. Katumba Wamala said the UPDF are internal and external promoters of peace.

The army boss introduced the first contingent of African Mission to Somalia AMINSOM who were welcomed by bullets when they first landed to Mogadishu the capital Somalia.

The  first contingent officers are Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti, Maj. Gen Francis Okello and Maj. Gen David Karuhanga.

The soldiers, their wives and children were served heavy breakfast.