Following several denials, blame games and gaslighting Ugandans, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has finally rendered an apology for the brutality its personnel inflicted upon civilians during the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election.
Appearing before the Parliament’s Defense and Internal Affairs Committee, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Samuel Okiding said the individuals behind the brutality have been arrested and are under investigation.
He described the brutality as “Operational Mistakes” made by individuals who couldn’t control their emotional conscience while under provocation.
“Allow me take this opportunity to officially apologize to this Committee. We are very sorry, we saw what happened, it was purely operational mistakes, that is not our doctrine. But out of 1000 people, there are those who can’t control emotional conscience. When provoked, somebody overreacts, that occurred out of provocation but it didn’t warrant that degree of reaction. We saw it and we took action, people were arrested, the Committee was constituted to investigate, as we speak, they are in jail and investigations are going on and we shall punish them. There is no escape, no shortcut,” said Okiding.
The Minister of Defence and veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth defended the absence of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. David Muhoozi from attending Committee meetings at Parliament, saying he is overwhelmed by the much love he is getting from Ugandans, which has kept him busy both within and outside the country.
“We have realized this Committee, just like any other group of Ugandans, they love the CDF and that keeps him very busy within Uganda and outside. This love should be handled well. Deputy CDF, make sure the CDF creates time for this Committee,” Oboth noted.
