The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, has called on senior army officers to avoid unethical practices, warning that such conduct poses a serious threat to national security.
While presenting a paper titled “The Undermining of Security, Stability and Prosperity by Unethical Practices” at the National Defence College Uganda, she emphasized that security is the backbone of national development.
“Security nurtures trust, boosts investor confidence, and stabilizes markets. When this pillar is weakened by unethical practices, even the government’s strongest achievements can quickly collapse,” she noted.
She cautioned that if not decisively addressed, unethical practices could reverse the country’s gains in security and stability, and slow down the government’s ambition to grow the economy tenfold in the next decade.
Mrs. Twinomugisha explained that while unethical behavior may appear to be a governance issue, it evolves into a national security threat if not professionally handled. She defined such practices as actions that violate moral standards, professional rules, or legal norms for personal or group gain.
Highlighting risks within the military, she warned that corruption in defense institutions can lead to inflated procurement contracts, ghost soldiers on payrolls, diversion of military supplies, and misuse of defense budgets.
She stressed that institutions like the Uganda People’s Defence Forces play a critical role in shaping strategic leadership capable of safeguarding the nation against emerging threats.
To address the challenge, she proposed several solutions, including:
- Promoting national values and consensus around shared interests
- Introducing values-based education
- Strengthening professional ethics
- Leveraging technology to enhance transparency and accountability
- Encouraging civic responsibility
Her remarks prompted reflection among senior officers, with Richard Tukacungurwa, Chairperson of the General Court Martial, describing the presentation as a wake-up call.
“As strategic leaders of UPDF, we have a lot to learn. We pledge to promote ethical practices for better service delivery,” he said.
