The Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), Colonel Emmy Katabazi, has told commissioned officers to ensure that Uganda remains Africa’s center of gravity by upholding the revolutionary struggle and economic liberation of the country to ensure peace and defend Africa as a whole.
Col Katabazi was offering a lecture of opportunity to 194 trainees, out of whom 193 are commissioned officers and one cadre, who are currently undergoing a five-week Post Cadet Ideological Orientation Course Intake nine 2024 at the Oliver Reginald Tambo Leadership School-Kaweweta in Nakaseke district on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
As he offered his lecture of opportunity to the trainees, Col Katabazi asked them to not only fight and protect Uganda alone but also ensure the peace of Africa as a whole.
“Ensure that Uganda prospers and remains the center of gravity of Africa,” Col Katabazi said.
He asked the trainees to exhibit discipline and loyalty in their way of operation. He also implored them to serve their country with diligence as patriots, keeping in mind the principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, democracy, and socio-economic transformation.
“Loyalty is key, and ideological orientation is crucial during your day-to-day operations. The survival of the government in power is the work of an officer. So, work to defend the revolution. It is your duty as officers to inconvenience the country’s enemy,” he noted.
The Colonel highlighted technology, telling the trainees to interest themselves in technology, because it is the current trend of attacking countries through cybersecurity. He, therefore, called for teamwork among the security agencies to ensure the security of the country.
“The cybersecurity attacks target the economy, political, and social sectors of the country. Therefore, it is the work of all security agencies to come together to maintain peace and security in our country,” Col Katabazi noted.
Additionally, he emphasized the fight against corruption, especially among the civil servants who are involved in swindling funds meant for government programs to create wealth and eradicate poverty in the local communities. He, therefore, asked them to fight the vice with all that it takes.
“Corruption is bad. But if we are singing and talking about it, why aren’t we fighting it?” the Deputy Director General asked.
The Colonel told the trainees about the application known as Zaidi that was formulated by ISO to track the information of the Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries and their funds but also to have the citizens’ addresses all in one point.
“It is estimated that over UGX 1.6 trillion is lost under UPE through ghost pupils, and the money is shared right from the headteachers, the CAO, up to the IT staff managing the system,” he noted.
The 194 officers, out of whom 26 are females, are expected to pass out on Friday, December 20, 2024, and the event will be presided over by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
