Nzaire worried over “fewer Banyankore” joining UPDF, Police

Mr Nzaire fears that with fewer Westerners joining the UPDF and Police, the national forces could soon suffer a “serious imbalance.”

“When the UPDF and the Police are recruiting, they do so on a regional basis to make sure that the forces have a national character.

“But the Ankole districts when we get our lot, you refuse to join. The work we are doing now requires a lot of security. But we are likely to face a serious imbalance when other (regions) join the army while we here are shunning it,” he said.

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Nzaire was speaking over the weekend at the launch of a political campaign song titled “Agumeho Yoweri,” in Mbarara city.

Regional Insecurity

The president’s brother warned hundreds of NRM supporters in attendance that with fewer Western youths joining the forces, the entire region could soon be plunged into insecurity.

“Why are your children refusing to join the army? You the young people who have attained some education, you need to join now.”

And while he himself is not an active member of the armed forces, Nzaire said his family “is well represented in the military.”

“You too should ensure that at least in your family there is someone in the forces to protect your properties, your people and your country," he said.

The UPDF has repeatedly dismissed accusations of being dominated by people from western Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni, following a wave of social media claims of tribalism in the army, issued a stern warning in a statement against those pushing the allegations.

“Kindly, leave our Armed Forces out of the nonsense of tribal debates,” Museveni warned.

“They have serious work to do and they have done it well. Leave them out of your confusion. Recruitment in the Armed Forces is by quotas per district. You check during the recruitment time,” he said.