By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA:
Following the recent twin bomb attacks in the heart of Kampala that claimed lives of six Ugandans including three suspected suicide bombers and left scores injured, the Forum for Democratic change has asked Ugandans to promote self vigilance against terrorists as the Christmas festive nears.
” As we move closure to the festive season, we would like to advise the public to be extra vigilant because terrorism is real.” FDC advises.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the party headquarters, the FDC spokesperson Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda reminded the operators in the public transport sector of their duties to promote safety of their passengers. He asked them to conduct proper and thorough checkings of all passenger lugguage and bags at the entry points.
“Those involved in public transport such as taxis, buses and boda bodas, you have an extra duty not only to protect yourselves but also the public and the passengers you are carrying because you do not know who will be the next victim.. You innevitably need to be checking passenger lagguage and bags to ensure safety,” FDC advised.
They also expressed sympathy to the families that lost their dear ones during the November 16 twin bombings in Kampala and condemns the use of violence for political and socio-economic goals.
Ssemujju further said remarks by president Museveni in his latest address to the nation on Saturday reflects more security loopholes that terrorists can use to cause more harm on the country.
During the address, president Museveni publicly admitted that recent terror acts have aweken police which according to him has been sleeping noting that they can easily be bought off by bread and wine by criminals. This the FDC says shows a degree at which Uganda is at a risk of being attacked by the criminals to inflict harm on innocent Ugandans.
They blame laxity and corruption in police and other security organs on the president for not taking affirmative actions against corrupt officers who he keeps on appointing into the force.
“In our judicial set up, Museveni is the commander of all armed forces. It is not possible that the head will remain awake and the subordinates are the only ones who are sleeping. So, if the security sector is sleeping, it means that Mr. Museveni is also sleeping,” Ssemujju said adding.
“He also said police can be comprimised by criminals and that you can give them money, that is the police that Mr Museveni has built for the last 37yrs. The country should hold him responsible for the laxity of the security system and also for the corruption in police because he is the one who appoints the heads of police and keeps on reappointing them.”
Security in Uganda consumes a lion’s share of the national budget allocations per year.
Reports by the ministry of finance indicate that in the last FY 2020/21, defense alone was allocated over 4 trillionshillings and in this FY 2021/22, the ministry of finance allocated shillings 3.8 trillion to defence and nearly half of the year, they have already requested for a supplementary budget of more than 400b shillings.
In this Financial Year 2021/22 alone, government is spending shillings 55.8 trillion on ministry of Internal Affairs, Shillings 917 billion on Uganda Police, Ugx 117 billion on Internal Security and Ugx 61.4 billion on External Security, to provide national security from internal and external forces.
But FDC questions the use of the money if it cannot be used in securing the Ugandans
