Grace Matsiko
30 November 2007
Jinja — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has proposed the re-introduction of tougher penalties in the army including instant executions by firing squad for soldiers who rape or kill civilians.
"I think the army code of conduct needs to be revisited because it seems people have forgotten it. We need to know that if you rape a woman, you become a ready meal for a bullet," Gen. Museveni said at the convocation of UPDF middle level commanders who have been undergoing training at the Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka in Jinja yesterday.
The strict disciplinary measures within the UPDF under the Army Code of Conduct have always carried a maximum penalty of death.
But following the public execution of soldiers who were convicted for killing Rev. Fr. Declan O'toole in Kotido in 2002 that attracted civil society condemnation, the army seems to have reluctantly shelved such instant executions as ordered the field military.
"You must regard the civilians as sacrosanct. Driving through people's gardens, claiming to be fighting for them, whom will you be fighting for if you can destroy their gardens?" he asked.
"...Before you leave an area of deployment you must ask whether your soldiers have spoilt anything. If they have, you pay. There are those forms we used in Congo. The leaders must sign them to satisfy that you have left without damaging any property."
As Gen. Museveni elaborated on the new measures, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima took notes.
The 39 graduands each received a Passed Staff College, which would pass as a degree in military science. Officers from Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan also graduated.
Former army spokesman, Maj. Roland Katunguka was expelled from the course after he absconded from lectures.
Gen. Aronda said the course completed the training stabilisation plan of the UPDF. He said since the introduction of the PSC by President Museveni, the graduates have helped in the stabilisation of the region.
At the ceremony, graduates showed that they were not only good at weapons but they love their spouses, who came to witness the pass out.
After receiving the certificates from the President, the officers would march to the huge tents where their wives were seated for a hug before resuming their seats, amidst ululations.
For the Sudanese and Kenyans, their spouses were flown in to witness the occasion, so were top officials from their governments.
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