The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, has called on senior military officers to eliminate unethical practices within defence institutions, warning that such conduct poses a serious threat to national security, stability, and economic progress.
Speaking at the National Defence College of Uganda in Jinja, Muhairwe delivered a presentation titled “The Undermining of Security, Stability and Prosperity by Unethical Practices.” She emphasized that security remains the cornerstone of national development, underpinning public trust, investor confidence, and market stability.
“When this pillar is weakened by unethical practices, even the government’s strongest achievements can quickly collapse,” she said.
Muhairwe warned that if left unaddressed, unethical conduct could reverse gains in national development and derail the government’s ambition to grow the economy tenfold in the next decade.
She explained that unethical practices—ranging from violations of moral standards to breaches of legal frameworks for personal or group gain—can evolve into major national security risks, particularly within critical institutions.
Highlighting vulnerabilities within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Muhairwe cited risks such as inflated procurement contracts, ghost soldiers on payrolls, diversion of military supplies, and misuse of defence budgets.
“The military is entrusted with protecting the state itself. Any compromise in its integrity undermines the very foundation of national security,” she noted.
She further emphasized the role of institutions like the National Defence College in shaping strategic leaders capable of addressing emerging threats at both national and regional levels.
To address these challenges, Muhairwe proposed a series of interventions, including promoting a unified national value system, strengthening professional ethics, integrating values-based education into training programs, leveraging technology to enhance transparency, and encouraging civic responsibility.
Muhairwe concluded by urging military leaders to recommit to integrity, describing ethical conduct as essential for building resilient security systems.
Her message resonated with attendees, including Richard Tukacungurwa, Chairman of the General Court Martial, who described the presentation as a timely wake-up call.
“As strategic leaders of the UPDF, this has been an eye-opening session. There is a lot to learn, and we are committed to promoting ethical practices to enhance service delivery,” he said.
The engagement ended with a renewed pledge from senior officers to uphold professionalism and integrity, reinforcing the link between ethical conduct and a secure, prosperous nation.