We have slipped from peace-loving country to a laughing stock

Until recently, Ugandans enjoyed relative security of person, property and abode. They had confidence in the apparent security enjoyed in the country, thanks to the efforts of the government and security forces.

Ugandans were proud that our security forces had worked in and assisted our neighbouring countries in maintaining and protecting their own security. They recall the gallant services rendered by the UPDF in Somalia, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is not only in the areas of security that Ugandans have played important roles. They have done equally well in others, including in working as doctors, judges, engineers or other professionals and practitioners. In welcoming and protecting the refugees, Ugandans have arguably been second to none in recognising them.

Unfortunately, today our reputation as peace-loving people with a mission to assist others has virtually evaporated and, in many areas we have become a laughing stock. Torture, kidnapping, murders and robberies have become the order of the day and are authorised or committed by those the country believed in and trusted before.

To explain this tragedy, President Museveni has decided to address the nation through the media and Parliament in the recent weeks.

The situation had become so alarming that security organs and their heads were recently tasked to address the nation and assure Ugandans that all was well and under control.

Following the security bosses’ contributions and President Museveni’s address, Ugandans remained divided as to whether they had been assured about their security or remained frightened as before. Many of the responses to these discussions have been critical or cautionary about their usefulness for the future.

In my view, one important and overriding consideration in the field of security is the work of professional and technical experts who are appointed and given responsibility of maintaining, administering and managing security matters of our nation.

The work of these experts is based on the policies formulated by ministers and supervised by administrators. Ministers and administrators are not experts, indeed their effective policies depend on the advice of professionals.

There were glaring omissions in the President’s recent address and statements of security and political bosses. There was failure to explain the nature, character, integrity, competence and performance of the experts’ work in security organs.
Many citizens, including the President, Speaker of Parliament and Chief Justice, to mention but a few, have been bitterly complaining about how this country has been let down by security forces.

The leadership in this area has been grossly lacking or proved incompetent or unqualified.
Worse still, many in it have corruptly failed it and should have been exposed and named by the President and security bosses.

Other stakeholders assisted by the media have constantly exposed the wrongs and weaknesses in our security system.

Surprisingly, none of these figured in the discussions and explanations given even though the media generally have had the courage to expose them.

Finally, Ugandans do not understand why it is taboo to name, arrest and charge suspects, criminals and other culprits who are the main cause of insecurity in Uganda. It has been suggested that the Uganda establishment benefits from the deeds of wrongdoers.
Prof Kanyeihamba is a retired Supreme Court judge.
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