UPDF Reserve Force Commander Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga has warned Members of Parliament against using security oversight to pursue personal grievances against security personnel, urging them to base their scrutiny on established principles.
Ssemwanga said personal disputes between legislators and security officers could undermine constructive engagement, emphasising that Parliament’s oversight role should focus on accountability and national stability.
“We have been told of instances where Members of Parliament bring their personal grudges on members of security,” Ssemwanga said.
He was speaking at Speke Resort Munyonyo during the induction of members of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee of the 12th Parliament, where legislators were briefed on their relationship with security agencies.
“Whenever the committee is interacting with members of security, it should never be personal but rather be based on principle,” he said, urging MPs to engage security personnel without unnecessary confrontation.
Ssemwanga added that decisions made by legislators had security implications, noting that maintaining national stability required collective responsibility beyond the uniformed services.
Security analyst Dr Ann Abaho, who also addressed the legislators, urged the committee to strengthen evidence-based oversight as security threats increasingly extend into cyberspace and digital infrastructure.
Abaho said MPs needed to develop the capacity to interpret data and understand emerging threats, including cyberattacks, data breaches and digital warfare.
“Whether they like numbers or not, they have to be forced to interpret them,” she said.
She also called for a legal framework to guide proactive security preparedness, arguing that emerging threats required authorities to anticipate risks rather than respond only after incidents occurred.
Abaho further highlighted the importance of forensic science in investigations, accountability and the protection of human rights.
She urged MPs to insist on direct engagement with security personnel, particularly on welfare matters, citing the importance of oversight mechanisms that allow independent access to security facilities and interaction with individuals held there.
The induction focused on how the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee should relate with security agencies while exercising its oversight mandate.
The facilitators said effective oversight required collaboration, critical analysis and respect for professional guidance as Uganda responds to evolving security challenges.