The high-ranking officer of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), who is the Deputy Director General of ISO, Col Emmy Katabazi, has implored the senior officers to protect and safeguard the territorial integrity, ensure national security, and promote regional integration for peace and stability in Uganda and the neighbors.
Col Katabazi was offering a lecture of opportunity on national security and regional integration to 52 students at the level of senior officers who are currently undergoing a Senior Command and Staff Grade 2 course at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Senior Command and Staff College-Kimaka in Jinja city.
He asked the officers to safeguard the security of the country. The Deputy Director General, therefore, implored them to understand the enemy’s motives and prevent the enemy from undermining the peace and stability of the country both politically, socially, and economically.
“You must have the capacity to safeguard and protect the country against enemy subversive activities in order to eliminate uncertainty,” Col Katabazi said.
Col Katabazi cautioned the officers against being biased for their own interests because it undermines the security of the country.
He called for commitment among the senior officers while executing their duties, saying that they are called to serve their motherland.
“Security is a complex work that needs people who are committed and knowledgeable,” he noted.
The senior army officer called on the participants to work as early warning in order to subdue those trying to antagonize the peace of Uganda. He further called for unity and working together with friendly forces.
“There is subversion based on policy formulation, like some agencies are fighting government programs,” he stated.
He called for accountability among the officers and warned them against getting involved in corruption. The Colonel asked the senior security officers to preserve the social actions of their community.
“As a security officer, you are guided by the principles of Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and patriotism,” Col Katabazi said.
Col Katabazi called upon the officers to maintain ethics and integrity, stating that their conduct must reflect their positions and professions. He, therefore, implored them to live a morally upright life that is acceptable in society.
“Always perform within the law; avoid operating illegally and outside the law,” he implored.
When answering the question on preventing infiltration through hosting refugees, Col Katabazi said that Uganda has a refugee policy and that refugees’ safety is paramount based on Nationalism, Pan-Africanism, social integration, and socio-economic transformation. He said that it’s upon the security forces to establish criminals, but putting into consideration refugees’ protection because Africa is one and Africans respect each other.
Course 20 of 2024 included six senior lady officers, and international students from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan, among others.