By Marianne Alowo
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Honourable Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, has challenged the leadership of the Ministry and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces to balance priorities in the prevailing circumstances that require prioritization amidst competing demands.
“The inter-linkage between human security, which is largely dependent on socio-economic sectors such as the provision of health services, education, employment, and food security on the one hand, and national security, which is reliant on efficient and professional armed forces with multiple domain capabilities on the other, requires us to seriously balance our priorities,” Hon. Ssempijja said.
The Honourable Ssempijja made the remarks today during the opening of a Strategic Planning Retreat that attracted Senior Leaders of the Defense Ministry and leadership and service chiefs of the UPDF at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, Kigo.
“This retreat provides us a good forum to forecast the combined impact of security uncertainties, challenges, and requirements of the future and how best you can plan with the limited resources availed to us to address the most crucial issues,” said Hon. Ssempijja as he challenged the officials to be frugal and ensure value for all resources availed to them.
Minister Ssempijja thanked H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, for his interventions during the concluded financial year (2022-2023) and said that the President is fully committed to the process of modernization and professionalism of the UPDF as a foundation for long-term peace and stability.
In attendance were: Minister of State in Charge of Veteran Affairs, Hon. Huda Abason Oleru; Minister of State for Defense, Hon. Jacob Oboth; Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi; Deputy CDF, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu; Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga; General Officer Commanding Reserve Forces, Lt Gen Charles Otema; Joint Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda; Undersecretary Finance and Administration, Mrs Edith Buturo; and Service Chiefs.