KAMPALA – UPDF spokesman Brig-Gen. Richard Karemire has appealed to Ugandans to stop berating Local Defense Units (LDUs) over mistakes they commit but focus on the big picture on their role of keeping communities safe.
Speaking during the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) spearheaded clean-up drive at Kawempe Referral Hospital on Saturday, May 25, the defence spokesman said that the army was training and giving the LDUs necessary skills set as well as mentoring them to be more disciplined.
“While these brothers commit mistakes, like many of us, none of us is an angel. We all make mistakes once in a while. They will always be corrected and where necessary be punished,” Brig. Karemire said.
He added LDUs are UPDF’s strategic reserves and that they resonate very well with the doctrine of the forces.
“Our doctrine is to have a small but very versatile and agile army, well equipped and motivated but supported by reserves like the LDU and this is why they are here today to support us.”
“When an LDU commits a crime or mistake, do not get very disappointed saying they were recruited to kill you. No, it is a process, we are mentoring them, shape them and eventually, they will turn into like us the UPDF. We are disciplined,” the Army’s mouthpiece said.
“Fighting criminality is a process, not an event, and as security agencies work together all these crimes will be eliminated,” he said
Local Defense Units (LDUs)
In September 2019, President Museveni revealed plans to deploy a total of 24,000 LDUs in the areas of Wakiso and Kampala as part of the mechanisms to curb urban crime.
In March 2019, after training, a total of 6,239 LDUs were passed out by the President out of which 485 were females.
However, these new security operatives did not receive a warm reception from Ugandans who worried they are prone to committing more crime.
Clean-up drive at Kawempe Referral Hospital
This voluntary drive was spearheaded by Public Relations Association Uganda (PRAU) headed by the President Sarah Kagingo in partnership the UPDF.
The activity involved cleaning all wards, lavatories, waste management, slashing and planting garden of trees and green grass aimed at giving the hospital a green ambience.
At the same event, LDUs were present to support the UPDF on this noble cause.
