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Retired General David Sejusa, formerly the head of UPDF’s Military Intelligence, has openly criticised the deployment and tactics of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT).
Drawing from his extensive military experience, Gen Sejusa expressed concern over the excessive use of live ammunition in civilian areas.
He called for the agents to be deployed to a war front when they could “face real men” and not “not women and children waving placards.
Over the past weeks, Kampala has witnessed a series of aggressive actions by masked operatives, identified as members of JATT, targeting supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during the Kawempe North by-elections.
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These agents, clad in black attire and fully masked, have been documented using cable wires to assault civilians and journalists, as well as firing live ammunition and deploying teargas to disperse gatherings.
Both the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) have exercised caution in addressing these operations.
Some government officials, however, have justified the actions by pointing to NUP's adoption of militaristic symbols, such as red jumpsuits and berets, during their campaigns.
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Gen Sejusa's Critique
Retired General David Sejusa, in his critique, questioned the necessity and appropriateness of such force in non-combat situations.
He further challenged the practice of state operatives concealing their identities during operations, noting that a legitimate state should operate transparently, clearly articulating its directives and the consequences of non-compliance.
Sejusa asserted that those who violate the law should be apprehended, detained in official facilities, and formally charged, ‘reflecting the state's commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
"A state operates as a state. Don't hide in masks,” he said.
“A state carrying out its mandate clearly spells out its orders and repercussions for those disobeying the orders, and then, those in breach when arrested must be taken to official cells and charged because you are the state!”
Call for Deployment to DRC
In a provocative recommendation, Gen Sejusa suggested that these masked JATT operatives be reassigned to the frontlines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where they would confront genuine combat scenarios.
"The best at the moment is to gather them and send them to the frontline in DRC where they can face real fire from real men; not women and kids waving placards!"
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Debate Over NUP Attire
The controversy surrounding NUP's use of red berets and jumpsuits has been a focal point in discussions about political symbolism and state authority.
Gen Sejusa acknowledged that while a state has the prerogative to ban attire that promotes hate speech, is associated with criminal activity, or offends public decency, such measures must follow due process.
He cited examples from Europe, where displaying Nazi insignia can lead to arrest, to illustrate that attire can be regulated under specific circumstances.
However, he stressed that any prohibition should be based on clear legal frameworks and justifications, ensuring that enforcement aligns with established laws and respects individual rights.