The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Defence Forces Council Electoral College has elected 10 officers to represent the army in in the 12th Parliament.
The 10 military representatives who were voted on Wednesday at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo include seven men and three women reaffirming the army’s constitutional role as one of Uganda’s special interest groups in the legislature.
Those elected are Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Lt Gen James Mugira, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Brig David Robert Gonyi, Col Sylvia Meeme, Col Christine Nekesa, and Col Night Ikiriza.
The Uganda Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama oversaw the exercise, while the Commission’s Returning Officer, Ms. Diana Kateeba Tumusiime, announced the results after the tallying process.
President Yoweri Museveni who presided over the election noted that successful political leadership is anchored in identifying and addressing the people’s real and solvable needs.
“Political leadership which succeeds does so because leaders accurately identify solvable needs and then solve them,” he said.
Reflecting on the just-concluded elections, President Museveni noted a resurgence of public enthusiasm reminiscent of the 1996 polls.
“When I was going around campaigning, I could see that we are almost running back to the enthusiasm of the people during the elections of 1996,” he said, adding that the renewed confidence was rooted in the NRM’s historical approach to addressing Uganda’s challenges.
The President cited the establishment of a disciplined national army as the first critical problem the NRM resolved.
