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Citizen Posts
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As one might brag about having a strong Army and being reliant on it as tool of oppression and coercion, one can also on the other side get worried of the plague of dissension and desertions if they start creeping in.
When one makes a critical analysis of how desertions can negatively impact on the performance and preparedness of our forces, then there should be a serious concern about the existence of our forces in times of danger and difficult situations.
Such an Army or Police Force can easily be influenced by wrong elements who can make wrong decisions because of the weaknesses and cracks that can make it vulnerable. This means, once an Army or Police Force degenerates into vulnerability, then it can easily be infiltrated or influenced by wrong elements.
Normally an enemy who infiltrates the structures of command can carefully within or from outside take an advantage of such a situation to cause chaos and instability. Wrong elements usually infiltrate a weakened Army or Police to serve their selfish interests.
Such elements can plot sinister things such using the security forces to achieve political means to meet political ends, and use the Army or Police to exploit resources across the borders of neighbors and even cause a coup.
Therefore, dissension and desertions should not be taken lightly because they are indicators of something wrong in the administration and management systems within. For an Army to be counted as professional and to excel, discipline of all its officers irrespective of ones rank must be at its best. The levels of discipline of these institutions is its strength.
The observance of the ethic values that guide the institutions is critical. Once an officer or officers disregard and become disrespectful of the of code conduct, then it becomes vulnerable to misuse or abuse. This is where the Court Martial becomes of use, to try errant soldiers or Policemen and bring them to books of the law.
The levels of violence and brutality we keep on witnessing repeatedly on our streets inspired by security forces, has to be tamed and brought to books without shame. The security forces are subordinate to civilian authority because we civilians, the people, pay and sustain them. The Army does not sustain itself. This is the cornerstone of democracy.
Finally, there is a reason of concern as to why the Army is faced with dissensions and desertions like according to the Daily Monitor of the 23rd. September, 2023 where 400 soldiers deserted the UPDF and Police officers going for greener pastures. There need for the leadership to address these issues as to why there’s such an exodus.
Mugoya Paul Polly, concerned citizen.
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