The Ministry of Defense and the UPDF have distanced themselves from the ugly operation in which the military clobbered Makerere University students after breaking into the halls of residence at night.
In a statement presented to the parliamentary committee that is probing the current impasse between students and university management, the Ministry of Defense indicates that the UPDF were not issuing directives during the operation because the UPDF was playing supportive role, while Uganda Police Force were in charge.
The statement indicates that in operations where UPDF plays a supportive role, the rules of engagement are issued by the supported force, and not UPDF. The statement also reaffirms that the chaotic situation at Makerere was never caused by the UPDF.
“The UPDF leadership from its intelligence and other sources came to learn of errors by some individual members of the force who could have acted out of the rules of engagement normally issued by the supported agency and in this case; the Uganda Police Force.” The statement reads in part.
According to Wikipedia the online dictionary, Rule of Engagement are internal rules or directives among military forces that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force, or actions which might be construed as provocative, may be applied.
The statement also notes that whereas investigations into actions of the officers of UPDF continue, no person has reported a specific case of sexual assault by a member of the UPDF. However, the force notes that if such a complaint comes up, investigations will be conducted to the effect and action taken against the culprit.
There have been unconfirmed reports that the military sexually assaulted female students during the night raid on halls of residence.
The statement also notes that UPDF has a set of principles that defines its character and discipline, which remains its bedrock, and whoever deviates from it, faces the law.
On 29th October 2019, the military working together with police broke into student halls of residence at night beating up everyone found inside. The move followed protests by university students against a new fees policy that enforce a 15 percent increment.
Consequently, Captain Ronald Lubeera of the Military Police who commanded the troops in Makerere was arrested and detained at Makindye Military Barracks, and a board of inquiry led by Lt. Col. Richard Ochen Okumu was set up to establish details of what happened and the findings will guide the next course of action against him.
