In order to see fundamental changes in Uganda’s military, Ugandans need to contrast them with the changes in the politics. As we give this analysis, politics in Uganda has been vulgarized and commercialized. Elections are mostly a bidding contest and Parliament has evolved from a marketplace of ideas to a marketplace.

The UPDF (Uganda Peoples Defence Force) on the other hand has evolved under the tight control of President Museveni, into a tight-knit cabal of like-minded and single-minded political cadres, who are blindly loyal to president Museveni and his vision.

The UPDF Act specifies that officials who have been convicted in criminal cases, or who have pending cases against them, cannot attend meetings of the Army High Command yet President Museveni appoints convicted felons like Nasser Ssebaggala to his Cabinet and sits around the table with ministers so some army officials have interpreted this as reeking of corruption.