Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF): Clarification on Misleading Reporting by NTV Uganda (04.01.2026)

Opinion: Colonel Magezi – who serves the violence? Well, you and your kind do…

“Security has noted with concern the continuous rhetoric by the NUP Presidential candidate calling upon his supporters to mob polling centers on Election Day, and thereafter march to the Capital Kampala. He also encourages his supporters to be prepared to confront the security forces because, in his view, the police and UPDF would be outnumbered on the ground. This type of polarizing language is very unfortunate indeed. It is ill advised, toxic, shallow in logic, and dangerous.  The security forces strongly condemn the spirit and message behind the call, and we contend that this must stop henceforth. In the worst case scenario, those who incite violence and promote anarchy in the country by misleading the young of Uganda to violently confront the security forces will themselves not escape the outcome. The net effect will be a futile and zero-sum game with no winners, and contemporary examples abound in the world around us and beyond” (Colonel Chris Magezi – ‘Caution Against Incendiary and Divisive Language That Could Lead to Political Violence’ 04.12.2025).

Lord have mercy and may we ask you to forgive us for our sins. They don’t know what they do, but you see it…

Who brings the weapons? The army and the authorities do.

Who is quell the opposition? The army and the authorities do.

Who is in charge and have monopoly of violence? Well, the army and the authorities do.

I can continue, but it is beyond me. That someone who can write such a statement doesn’t see the folly. They are blaming the victims of oppression, impunity and the bystanders for their demise. That’s what the state does, and the law enforcement complies with these orders. The whole machinery is built to crush and silence the dissent. That’s not a well-known secret, but what it practically commits to do.

Sometimes I wonder if the army and the police force ever have heard His Excellency speak or fellow comrades even. Because there is warning against the opposition and their actions, but there are never any reflections on how the President and his fellow men are speaking. No, these people are untouchable, and these are the ones that is ordering the mayhem. So, let us make them saints and the victims the culprits. The deceased who cannot speak was a terrorist, a hoodlum or anything of that sort, because the dead can never say a word or defend its case. Alas, that’s how the state operates, and it is obvious. They are penalizing and criminalizing the acts of the opposition and that’s why they speak like this. Instead of taking any accountability and reflect on their own actions.

This here sort of statement is made to endanger and vilify the opposition. It is done so it can blame the National Unity Platform (NUP) or anyone else for that matter. That’s the gist of the statement from the UPDF here. They are doing this to put the blame on everyone else for their misuse of firearms and electoral violence against the opposition. This the main reason for writing and putting out this statement. That’s not to acknowledge what it does or how it operates. No, it is to pin Bobi Wine or anyone else who speaks their peace. Because the opposition and civilians are supposed to accept the tear-gas, live-bullets and whatnot in the coming days.

That’s why we must live accordingly and just know that this is what they do. Peace.

Chapter Four: Statement on recent Military Raids on Police Stations (04.06.2025)

Opinion: Is the UPDF Act even “active” or is it just “guidance”

“40. Agreement relating to deployment of troops outside Uganda

Where troops are to be deployed outside Uganda under a multilateral or bilateral arrangement with other countries, the Minister shall enter into an agreement, in this section referred to as a Status of Forces Agreement with the host country or organisation” (UPDF Act, 2005).

“The UPDF acted decisively on the request of the government of South Sudan to avert a dangerously developing situation and deployed forces accordingly. This action is also in the interest of regional security. The Hon Minister of Defence is never involved in the operational matters of UPDF. His job is simply to represent us in Parliament” (…) “The Hon. Minister will in due course be brought up to speed with the relevant details of our role in the fast unfolding security situation of our crucial ally and northern neighbor. It was important for the UPDF to act with expediency to contain the situation” (Col. Chris Magezi, 12.03.2025).

There is a need for clarification and a need for enlightenment in regards to the Uganda People’s Defence Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Force Act of 2005. As the UPDF Act, which we know seems to be long lost file. An ancient scroll and a relief of the past. Why do I say that in 2025?

Well, no one adheres to it and abides by it. The texts and the laws that is coded in the UPDF Act is meaningless and pointless. The Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga is living beyond its merits and we know others are toying around with it to. Now ones of their own is saying the Minister of Defence is just a puppet and a face of the UPDF. Not that he has any sort of role or oversight. Meanwhile, the Article 40 of the UPDF Act says he does has power and influence over the army itself. Therefore, something got to give.

This here all steams over the “Silent Guardian” Operation in South Sudan that came into force earlier this week. That was never announced or was informed. Neither was there any revelation or any sort of publication. Seemingly, the Minister of Defence got the news as the General tweeted about the matter the other day. Just like the rest of us. Meanwhile, we know his supposed to go into an agreement with the respective nation. Alas, that never happened and the CDF or the High Command did so without his knowledge. That shows the institutions and personification of state is the most valuable assets of Republic.

The Minister of Defence is bound by law to have a say in an Operation of the UPDF. The deployment is supposed to go by him and an agreement shall be entered by him. So, this Colonel clearly haven’t read the UPDF Act or think it is a worthless document. We know the General thinks so and he is spitting on it on a regular basis. Now the UPDF just shows lawfulness and righteousness is beneath the army.

The National Army has other structures and command, which are more supreme than the UPDF Act. That’s why the Minister is just a mere representative and not a head of sorts. No, the civilian in the Parliament aren’t supposed to dictate or any word in it. However, the UPDF act says he “shall enter into an agreement”. That’s where the problem is and where the UPDF is failing at its core. They are just showing how they disregard code and protocol, by jumping over the Minister and mocking his role.

We are all seeing it and the display isn’t even that wise about it either. It is a forewarning about the consolidation of power and what a few heads are allowed to do. As they are not following print or procedure. They only acts on whims and instinct. These people cannot even address the matters or adhere to laws binding them. That’s why people should be worried. When the army is acting above it all and thinks it is justified to be so. That’s memo here.

The gist isn’t any good, but a compelling one regardless, as we all see what they do. The UPDF Act is history and it has been made irrelevant in front of our eyes. Peace.