NRM Manifesto Week: Defense and Security Fulfils 90%

 

The NRM Government is marking its manifesto week, an annual period dedicated to reviewing government’s set targets, achievements and challenges for the 5-year term.

One sector that has remained strong over the years is the Defense and Security sector. According to the Minister for Defense and Veterans, Adolf Mwesigye, the sector ministries have achieved up to 90% of its targets.

Some of the Manifesto Commitments that were set for the sector include Continued Professionalization and Modernization of Defense and Security Forces, developing Defense and Security Infrastructure, strengthening Research and Development, promoting Production for Wealth Creation and Self-sustainability and strengthening Internal and External Security

Apart from the above commitments, President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the Commander in Chief issued a number of directives including; Relocation of Air Force elements to Nakasongola, Redevelopment of Luwero Industries, Budget Provision for Adequate Feeding for the Army, Purchase of Uniforms and Boots from Local Manufacturers, Reduction of Expenditure on Usage of Air Force Fuel, Installation of solar power in Barracks to reduce the current Electricity Bill and  drilling boreholes in Barracks to reduce the water bill.

The President also ordered for the development of the National Military Referral Hospital, pursuing the Pre-financing option for Construction of the 30,000 Houses for UPDF, coming up with a proposal on salary enhancement for scientists in the Army and gradually and affordably increase the salaries of soldiers until they come in-line with salaries of Primary School Teachers.

The Sector according to the minister, has consistently acquired, refurbished, and maintained equipment in a bid to equip the Forces with efficient, effective and technologically advanced capabilities to professionalize and Modernize the defense and security forces.

Capability enhancement he says has been in the areas of Air Defence, Air Force, Armored Brigade, Field Artillery, Marines and Motorized Infantry, including the remanufacturing of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) in Magamaga and Luwero Industries.

Training

The Ministry has recruited over 26,000 LDUs to complement the regular forces in sustaining peace across the country. Currently a total of over 10,000 LDUs are undergoing training in Division Training Schools.

Mwesigye adds that training and re-training has been conducted mainly in Professional courses such as Platoon Commanders Course, National Defence Course, Defence Services Command and Staff, Marine course, Air Command and Staff, Company Commanders Course, Junior staff and command course and Peace Support course among others.

Further affiliations with Makerere University to accord Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree at SCSC and UMA-Kabamba have been achieved. Currently a total of 25 Officers have graduated with a Master’s Degree from MUK under the SCSC-Kimaka arrangement and 54 Officers undergoing a Degree Course at UMA-Kabamba

Health

The Ministry of Defense has continued to provide preventive, curative and rehabilitative services to Officers and Militants, their immediate families and surrounding community members in all its 140 Health Centres (05 hospitals, 08 HCIVs, 36 HCIIIs and 90 Medical Reception Station (MRS).

For complex medical cases, the Ministry partnered with Health Facilities outside the Ministry i.e. Mengo, Rubaga, Artemis, St Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Mulago, Victoria, Nakaseero, Dr Agwal Eye Hospital and Mbarara Medical and Surgery Centre Hospitals.

Medical services have been extended in form of: Treatment, Vaccination, Pharmaceutical products and Counselling and Sensitisation services

The Ministry has also supported Ministry of Health (MOH) in containing any form of epidemic outbreaks within the Country and Region through medical camps.

This has been done for only a few Doctors and was undertaken on Ministerial arrangements.

Salaries

Salaries for soldiers have been gradually increased, Minister Mwesigye says. Some ranks, he says have had their salaries enhanced by 50% of the required 100%.

Pensions

A number of activities have been undertaken to ensure that the pensions, gratuity, terminal and survivors’ benefits are paid promptly. Successfully completed the update of 25,033 files for the Pensions and Gratuity backlog cases. So far, 369 files have been paid a total of UGX 3,795,755,176. The residual files will require UGX. 188,452,842,528 to be cleared.

MoDVA has successfully finalized the development of the Feasibility Study for the UPDF Barracks Infrastructure Project of 30,000 Housing Units to be funded by MoFPED as an Integrated Bankable Project (IBP), Construction of 02 Division Strategic Defence Posture Infrastructure is on-going and construction of a 03-storied office structure for SFC Headquarters, and work is at 60% completion level.

 

It had also completed the Solar Power Project at Kololo, involving laying panels, contracting powerhouse and offices, renovated 1, 2, 4 and 5 Division HQs Administration Block,  undertook construction Works at several sites, including Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC) – Singo, Nakasongola Air force flats, an Officers’ Diagnostic Centre with 02 Dental units and Outpatient Facility at Mbuya, Renovated 01 Classroom Block at Uganda Military Academy (UMA) and Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC) Jinja and Soroti.

A Kololo Solar pilot project was completed. The Panels and batteries were installed. All project materials have been delivered on site (1620 solar panels each of 315watts, 300batteries each 1000AMPs/hrs, cables 90sqmm (4core, 6050m) and accessories. Installation of the solar panels is complete.

Finally the Ministry has so far drilled 37 boreholes in different Barracks locations. This has reduced on expenditure of water in Barrack among other many achievements