[UAH] UPDF Vs SFG

The 1995 Constitution renamed Museveni's former NRA as UPDF. Museveni
was opposed to the renaming of his NRA for fear of loosing copyright.
After taking over power in 1986 Museveni's security was manned by a
small unit called PPU. Its Commanding Officer have been Akanga
Byaruhanga, Mayeku, Muheesi, Leo Kyanda and currently Muhoozi who is
Museveni's son. Innitially, though Aronda was the Intel Officer, his
role has always seemed bigger that that. Even when Aronda held and
continues to hold other responsibilities, his attachement to
Museveni's personal security remained, remains and will remain
special.
Innitially Museveni had close body guards composed of some young
Baganda soldiers who had originated from the bush war. Later they
disappeared from the scene and some defected and fled the country only
to be replaced by the 'home boys' who form the inner circle.
Later, the PPU was expanded to more than a battalion and First Lady
picked interest in this Unit. She innitiated a special renumeration
for ordinary soldiers of the PPU in excess of the flat rate for the
rest of the soldiers. In return, those soldiers and their families
call her Mama.
Following the slaughtering of the Burundian President in 1993,
Museveni's PPU was reinforced by Tanks. It was during this same time
that a number of senior army officers had their loyality to Museveni
placed under scruitiny thus rendered redundant (undeployed) or placed
on Katebe. These officers were suspected to be deriving some strength
from Tinyefuza whom intelligence showed that even some active officers
were loyal to him. The worst came when Muheesi the then Commanding
Officer of PPU was suspected of being a Tinyefuza sympathiser.
Muheesi was replaced and the PPU was expanded to a brigade level and
renamed the Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB). Gen Kaziini spearheaded
the recruitment of ethinic Hima and Basongora to boost the PGB. This
is when the first son Muhoozi came to the scene by privately
recruiting for the PGB. At the same time loyal officers from the
regular UPDF were being seconded to the PGB while the unwanted were
being moved back to the regular UPDF.
Once the Muhoozi recruits were ready (he too had by now ceased being a
Local Defence personnel), the PGB expanded its mandate to securing
Kampala and Entebbe. The UPDF units were moved out of this zone. The
PGB was later renamed SFG and is now composed of over 10000 personnel,
Commanded by Muhoozi and the boys he recruited, more equiped than
regular UPDF, its mandate entends to operation in Somalia and CAR,
suppresses peaceful demos, runs secret torture chambers (safe houses),
its welfare better off, it produces leaders for the regular UPDF etc.

Practically, its not uder the command of the CDF Katumba Wamala. With
that kind of SFG, Museveni feels nothing can dislodge him from power.

Tugume Sam
WO II (Rtd)