Deputy IGG To Senior Army Officers: Avoid Unethical Practices To Build A Strong National Security
April 7, 2026
Security
is the foundation upon which a nation’s progress stands because it nurtures
trust, enhances investor confidence in the economy, and stabilises markets.
Yet,
when this pillar is broken by unethical practices, even the government’s
strongest achievements rapidly collapse.
So
inside the National Defence College of Uganda’s quiet Central Lecture Hall,
Jinja, Deputy Inspector General of Government, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe,
brought the matter home.
She
passionately elaborated how a compromised security can be a national threat,
and made an honest appeal to senior army officers to steer clear of any
unethical practices that could compromise the integrity of the country’s
security, urging them to remain ethical.
While
addressing the officers on the topic “The undermining of Security, Stability
and Prosperity by Unethical practices” Mrs. Muhairwe argued that though
unethical practices may at first glance appear to be a governance challenge,
they become strategic national security threat, if all they are not
professionally addressed.
Speaking
in a matter-of-fact tone, Mrs. Muhairwe noted that despite Uganda’s progress
made against traditional risks, a stealthy and escalating threat is emerging
within our society– the widespread normalisation of unethical practices.
“If
not decisively addressed, this threat has the capacity to roll back the
substantial gains we have achieved in security, stability and national
development or slow down the government’s stated ambition to grow the economy
tenfold in the next decade,” she said.
Unethical
practices are actions that violate accepted moral standards, professional rules
or legal norms for the purpose of personal or group advantage.
She
said that Institutions like the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) are
essential in cultivating the strategic mindset required by leaders responsible
for safeguarding the nation and region from all emerging threats.
Security
leaders, she emphasised, must recognise corruption and unethical practices not
as administrative faults, but as a strategic security risk, adding that
corruption within the defence sector is particularly dangerous.
“The
military is entrusted with protecting the state itself. When corruption affects
defence institutions, the consequences can be severe with the most common risks
being among others inflated procurement contracts, ghost soldiers on payrolls,
diversion of military supplies, and misuse of defence budgets,” she said.
For
the senior army officers entrusted with the solemn responsibility of
safeguarding citizens and shielding the nation from bad elements, Mrs.
Muhairwe's meticulous advice on upholding ethical conduct serves as a timely
and invaluable guide. Her insights offer crucial lessons, not just in defence,
but also in nation-building.
Citing
global examples where unethical practices have broken down institutions, she
reminded the officers that the legitimacy of the state depends heavily on public
trust – the social contract between the led and the leaders.
“But
when citizens believe that: public funds are routinely stolen; justice can be
bought; opportunities are reserved for the connected, then confidence in the
state begins to decline. Once trust erodes, citizens may begin to ignore the
law, resist authority and withdraw cooperation with state institutions”.
Unethical
practices, she explained, are not merely moral failings—they are quiet
architects of national insecurity. They break the foundation of a nation by
eroding public trust, leaving citizens doubtful of the systems meant to protect
and serve them.
As
confidence fades, she argued, so does the legitimacy of the state, creating a
fragile bond between the governed and those in power.
She
crowned her presentation with practical lessons dubbed a whole-of-society
approach which said can make a very big difference if applied.
These
include; formulating and galvanizing the national psyche and consensus around
national interests and values, introducing values-based education within the
education system, and strengthening professional ethics.
Others
are; enhancing accountability, leveraging technology to reduce human discretion
and increase traceability, strengthening civic responsibility, and ensuring
ideological orientation.
As she
left the podium, silence hung over the hall, signalling a moment of reflection
for the men and women in uniform to renew their commitment to upholding ethical
practices that can build a strong national security.
Brig.
Richard Tukacungurwa, chairman of the General Court Martial said: “As strategic
leaders of UPDF, the Deputy IGG’s presentation has been a wakeup call and
indeed there is a lot to learn from it. We pledge to promote ethical practices
for better service delivery”.
Deputy
IGG was accompanied by DREA Mr. Gerald Gwaira and DREA Manager, Mrs. Christine
Lamwaka.