Quote
“All Armies have always and still have Ideological Orientations and causes. Some of the Armies were feudal or monarchical; others were Imperialist, seeking to loot the resources of other Countries; while others were part of the Liberation Movements Fighting domination; what then was and is the Ideological Orientation of our own Army?” Y.K Museveni: Sowing the Mustard Seed, Pg 63.
The question posed by above quote is indeed what this short article strives to elucidate.
From the wise reminder of the Commander in Chief, we ought to always appreciate that we as a force arise from a long heritage characterized by the hither to Ideologically differing Militaries.
Africa in general and Uganda in our case have experienced four (4) distinct historic epochs.
These are; the pre- historic era; defined as proceeding human evolution, the ancient primitive communal societies. The pre – feudal and pre – colonial era; Colonial era and the Contemporary Nationalist liberation times. It is therefore important to Note that in each of the successive epochs, the Militaries as the historic foundations of state formation professed varying doctrines. In each epoch, the cause for the armies largely reflected the character of the rulers (Ruling classes).
In case of Africa ancient states were either clan or tribal based. In such systems the semblance of the Military would be loose bands of youth full militia who occasionally defended the cause of their clans; with the emergence of Chiefs and Chiefdoms, the loose Militias would be championing the interests of the dominant Chief, examples in Pre – colonial Africa, include the “Baluusula” of the omukama of Bunyoro “The Bamboowa” of the Kabaka of Buganda and so many more.
These Militaries to a large extent were brutal and not very friendly to the common People. By nature of their parochial outlook, they remained small and therefore not strong enough to confront bigger Military out fits such as the imperial Armies from Europe. No wonder therefore, after Europe undergoing renaissance that gave it an edge over pre- industrial Africa, it was easy for European Armies to invade Africa and defeat most of the tribal armies, save for Ethiopia, under Menelik who decisively defeated the Italians. Elsewhere, by 1900 the rest of Africa was subdued by colonialism.
Foreign domination perse, created new conditions for the emergence of National liberation movements.
It is therefore in the context of the liberation movements that we witness the emergence of a new generation of Armies espousing the values of Revolution as opposed to domination and oppression.
Quoting from the works of His Excellency, in the book, “Sowing the Mustard Seed” pg. 63.
He states’’ When we got to Dar – es – Salaam, the Idea now was to recruit – fighters and train them so that we could launch a People’s struggle”
To note therefore, Pillar number one of the Revolutionary Liberation Forces is the PEOPLE factor (Jeshi ya wanainchi). Universally, this has been the cardinal principle. In Asia, such a pillar was the case with the Peoples Liberation Army of China under Mao Tsetung; The People’s liberation Army of Korea, and the Vietnam Resistance against the French and Americans. In Africa this was true for the Algerian Peoples Liberation Army against French colonialism; MPLA of Angola against the Portuguese, FRELIMO of Mozambique against the Portuguese, just to mention but a few. The People’s Army is the reason Cuba, just 90 miles away from Imperialist USA, has sustained its Revolution since 1959.
Therefore, Pillar number one of A Revolutionary Army is the People factor.
Pillar number two is Ideological clarity through mandatory and Compulsory Political and Ideological Training; Ideological training is for understanding the Aims and condition for the struggle (Jeshi – Mapya lasiasa). In our case, it becomes an imperative to clearly understand the aims of decolonization; the importance of National Independence and National sovereignty; the Need for National Unity/Patriotism; the need and ingredients of Socio-Economic transformation. We undertake Ideological Training to understand why Africa was Colonized and underdeveloped. We then appreciate what the main strategic bottleneck of Africa to date is being underdevelopment and the attendant manifestations. With such understanding we then are able to strive to attain the five goals of liberation; Being consolidating Independence; safe guarding democracy; integrating Africa that suffered (colonial Balkanization at the Berlin conference of 1884). Ensuring prosperity of all Africans by embracing modernization, through socio economic transformation and preserving our Identity, culture and African heritage.
On the basis of the pillar of Ideological clarity, the other Pillars of a Revolutionary liberation force ought to be SACRIFICE AND PATRIOTISM; Sacrifice becomes the whole mark of a revolutionary force by rejecting careerism and mercenary mentality.
Another crucial pillar that ought to be maintained is correct organizational principles and strict discipline. Revolutionary liberation forces pay attention to issues of strict organizational matters.
The forces must be well led, well-structured and with well-established standard operating procedures above all strict code of conduct.
In its nature, Revolutionary liberation forces always survive on the principle of self – reliance. For this Principle to be tenable, the Revolutionary liberation force must respect hard work and ensure that the force is productive and not parasitic.
In broader terms all liberation forces must play a crucial role in building a strong economy that is capable of guaranteeing the fighting capability of the force, hence being able to defend the gains of the Revolution. The Army therefore must internalize the fundamentals of the National economy in order to build a vibrant Defence economy. Individuals and at institutional levels a Revolutionary Army must be of and one with the National programs, particularly the Economy.
In case of UPDF, as a Revolutionary Army, we must Internalize the strategic goal of Uganda which is to be prosperous by modernizing and causing the metamorphosis of the Uganda security into a middle class and skilled working class and eventually into a knowledge-based society.
This requires investing strategically into Agri – business/Agri- entrepreneurship; Small, medium and large-scale value addition (Industrialization); service sector; ICT in addition to managerial sectors. This therefore requires that as UPDF Personnel we must appreciate the Importance of promoting a private sector led economy spearheaded by both local and foreign investors. But above all we ought to mobilize to take part in wealth creation.
That’s the reason all Commanders and staff ought to study the guidance of the 4 sectors and seven (7) enterprises.
Especially the 4-acre Model farms such as at Kawumu around Semuto–Kapeka in Nakaseke District. Most students of Political and Leadership Courses have been visiting the model farm, but it must now become an Imperative for all Commanders to visit, learn and disseminate the knowledge to all their respective Units. This way UPDF shall not be left behind in the journey of socio-economic transformation.
In this article therefore we implore Commanders, Commissars and Militants to popularize the cardinal pillar that define UPDF as a Revolutionary liberation force; Namely the doctrine of a People’s Army that only fights for the just causes of the people and always relying on the Populations popular support. Secondly the pillar of Ideological clarity that shall always remain a tested value.
Hitherto the National Resistance Army, even its precursor the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) and now the UPDF, were based on the pillar of Great sacrifice, fighting and defending the people for NO PAY. In its infancy Up to date, the UPDF has relied on LOW PAY and improvised housing. While sacrifice is the whole mark of the liberation forces, some compensatory mechanisms are in place such as free education for children of service personnel and free medical care and a move to establish a full-fledged duty-free shop.
What is always crucial for a liberation force such as NRA/UPDF is always ensuring that attention is fully paid to the acquisition of quality and lethal Weapons and fighting capability to defend the people and the Revolution. We have emphasized the pillar of organizational discipline and very Important the nexus between fighting capability and the National and Defence Economies.
The Army and the people must be one in embracing the strategic goal of building a prosperous Nation where all must create Wealth lifting all households from poverty to a money economy.
Happy Heroes- Day 2024.
Aluta Continua.
by;
MAJ GEN HENRY MASIKO ndc (K)
JOINT STAFF POLITICAL COMMISSARIAT
