Gen Muhoozi Warns The Corrupt: Reform or Leave UPDF

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a stern warning against corruption within the army, urging those involved in mismanagement and resource misappropriation to either reform or leave the UPDF.

“Any individual or group with selfish interests—such as corruption, misappropriation of resources, or mismanagement—should reform immediately or, better still, leave our cherished UPDF before they are found,” General Kainerugaba cautioned.

He vowed to take decisive action against anyone undermining the UPDF’s combat effectiveness and troop welfare through financial mismanagement.

Strengthening Logistics for Operational Readiness

General Kainerugaba made the remarks on Thursday during the closing ceremony of a retreat on asset and inventory management at the College of Logistics and Engineering (COLE) in Magamaga, Jinja. The retreat brought together senior military officers, logistics experts, and facilitators to improve the UPDF’s logistics systems, ensuring operational readiness and force sustainment.

Quoting U.S. General Omar Bradley—”Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals talk about logistics”—the CDF emphasized that asset and inventory management is a cornerstone of operational success. He highlighted the crucial role of logistics in modern military operations, drawing lessons from global military practices, including Uganda’s participation in Operation Shujaa in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), AMISOM-ATMIS, and the ongoing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Key Areas of Focus

To enhance logistics efficiency, General Kainerugaba outlined several priority areas, including:

• Effective procurement systems to curb wastage and ensure transparency.
• Proper equipment repair and maintenance to prolong service life.
• Streamlined inventory management for accountability and resource optimization.
• Safe and efficient warehousing to prevent losses.
• Cost-effective transportation and reliable supply chains to sustain operations.

He stressed that an army unable to adequately supply its troops risks failure, regardless of training or equipment quality.

Three Pillars of Effective Logistics Management

Gen Muhoozi highlighted three important principles for successful logistics: planning, implementation, and control.

• Planning: Forecasting needs, setting clear goals, and developing strategies to handle challenges. He echoed former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, saying, “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”
• Implementation: Timely and efficient execution of logistics plans to meet troop requirements, alongside continuous training and system monitoring.
• Control: Ensuring strict adherence to approved procurement and supply standards. “If we agree to procure uniforms or equipment for our soldiers, and have agreed on specific quality and quantity, nobody should turn around and supply something different,” he warned.

As part of his visit, General Kainerugaba also laid a foundation stone for new accommodation facilities at the college, reinforcing the UPDF’s commitment to improving the welfare of its personnel.