The UPDF Representative in Parliament and Commander of the UPDF Reserve Force Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga has urged MPs to keep personal grievances out of their scrutiny of security agencies, warning that their decisions carry consequences for national stability.
Ssemwanga said legislators should hold security agencies accountable through informed engagement.
“We have been told of instances where Members of Parliament bring their personal grudges on members of security,” he said.
He was speaking at Speke Resort Munyonyo during the second day of an induction for members of the 12th Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee.
“Whenever the committee is interacting with members of security, it should never be personal but rather be based on principle. We urge members to freely interact with security personnel without necessarily being confrontational,” he said.
Ssemwanga reminded MPs that security extends beyond the work of uniformed personnel and requires collective responsibility.
At the same session, security analyst Dr Ann Abaho urged legislators to question evidence, understand data and prepare to scrutinise emerging threats.
She said cyber-attacks on national infrastructure, data breaches and digital warfare demanded knowledge beyond conventional military deployments.
“Whether they like numbers or not, they have to be forced to interpret them,” she said.
Abaho called for a law to guide proactive security preparedness. She also highlighted the role of forensic science in investigations, accountability and respect for human rights.
She said the Uganda Human Rights Commission previously accessed security facilities without advance notice and spoke freely with people inside. However, she noted that reservations about such access had since emerged.
Abaho urged MPs conducting oversight visits to insist on speaking directly with personnel, particularly when examining welfare concerns.
She also cited Uganda’s contributions to border security and regional stability, including deployments in South Sudan and efforts to secure roads.
Both speakers urged committee members to combine scrutiny with cooperation and seek professional guidance when assessing defence and security matters.
