Army starts registering reserve force members

The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi has launched a countrywide exercise that will see the documentation of reservists in a bid to build the UPDF Reserve Forces into a fully-fledged Service of the Defence Forces.

Speaking at Silver Springs Hotel during the launch, Gen.Muhoozi commended crime preventers and other members of the auxiliary forces for having always offered their service for the security of Uganda urging other citizens to take interest in the matter.

“All able-bodied Ugandans are duty-bound to come to service in the security of the country when need arises,” the CDF said.

Gen. Muhoozi said the army’s long term objective is implementing a constitutional requirement that will see everyone make a contribution in ensuring the security of the country.

“We have forwarded documents to the respective authorities and institutions in respect to the fulfillment of this constitutional requirement,” he said.

The CDF stressed the need for patriotism rather than blending service to pay noting that, pay, comfortable accommodation and other benefits is the wrong formula for building a force.

He emphasized that the force must be conscious of their enduring and guiding mission.
“Our center of gravity is force consciousness. That is what distinguishes the UPDF from other armies,” he said.

According to Gen.David Muhoozi, there is need for national cohesion and maximum cooperation, through joint security, in the execution of national security tasks adding that the end result of security service should always be total stability that leads to economic development and complete social transformation.

He also urged civil society to emulate the example of security forces to foster national unity by emphasizing a common interest as Ugandans other than individual identities including tribes and religions.

The CDF commended the leadership of the UPDF Reserve Forces for mobilizing the reservists but cautioned that the registration is not related to clearance of pension backlog or for any form of payments.

The function was attended by leaders from various districts of Central Uganda who were briefed by the commander reserve forces, Lt.Gen.Charles Otema Awany on the modalities of the registration exercise.

The registration exercise will be overseen by Resident District Commissioners who are the Chairpersons of the Security Committees in their respective districts whereas reserve force commanders at sub-counties, Police Commanders, Internal Security Officers, Local Councils and coordinators of former crime preventers will also verify their candidates.

According to Lt Gen Otema, eligible persons for registration are honorably retired Officers and discharged militants of the Defence Forces and members of the auxiliary forces.

They include former Local Defence Unit personnel and crime preventers as catered for in Sections 4 and 6 of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act of 2005.

“Those legible must be disciplined Ugandan citizens with no criminal records. Militants must not be more than 50 years of age and 60 years for officers,”Lt.Gen Otema said.

He emphasized that section 6 (1) (c) legalizes former Crime Preventers as members of the Reserve Forces being citizens of Uganda who have undergone military training under Article 17 (2) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

 

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