Steven Candia
7 October 2008
Kampala — THE army leadership has banned its officers from discussing security matters on mobile phones.
The measure is meant to guard against leakage of intelligence information which could jeopardise national security.
The directive comes in the wake of a country-wide terror alert issued by the Police last week.
The UPDF directive instructs officers to discuss security-related matters only on the more secure walkie-talkie handsets. A penalty will be meted out for breaching the directive, which takes immediate effect.
Army spokesman Maj. Paddy Ankunda yesterday confirmed the development.
"This is to secure and enhance the security of our country. You don't discuss national security matters on mobile phones," he said.
Sources yesterday said the move was also aimed at guarding against possible interception of intelligence information by service providers, a threat perceived as "real" in security circles.
Emails have been dispatched to all senior officers, communicating the directive and warning of a penalty for non-compliance.
"Any officer who disregards the directive will be penalised for disobeying lawful orders," Ankunda said.
The directive reportedly also applies to all security organisations.
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