Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Minister for Defence and Former Affairs, Jacob Oboth-Oboth, has defended the actions of Uganda’s security businesses following the killing of a 2d feminine suicide bomber in Kalerwe Market, citing the wish to prioritise public security over idealistic expectations of due process in the face of forthcoming wretchedness.
Talking to journalists on Monday shortly after his nomination to contest because the NRM flag bearer for West Budama Central Constituency, Oboth-Oboth acknowledged the risk of terrorism stays trusty and ongoing. “We’re surrounded by many threats thanks to the many pursuits of terrorists. A couple of of you attain now not know what is occurring,” he acknowledged on the NRM Electoral Commission offices in Kampala.
“We’re searching to thank our security businesses—critically the Uganda Police and UPDF—for being very alert and vigilant. They bask in got now steer clear off two incidents.” Basically essentially essentially based on questions about why the female suspect would possibly perhaps perhaps likely now not had been arrested, the minister modified into blunt. “How attain you arrest somebody with a bomb? Next time, likely after we watch one, we shall name you,” he acknowledged. “These are suicide bombers. They are a bomb.”
Oboth-Oboth credited intelligence and surveillance for thwarting what would possibly perhaps perhaps likely had been lethal attacks, referring to every the Kalerwe incident and a foiled bombing attain Munyonyo Shrine throughout Martyrs Day celebrations on June 3, 2025. He insisted the militants are now not pushed by a political motive to alter the govthowever moderately by unhealthy and unidentified ideological motivations. He reiterated that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) proceed to pose a foremost risk to Uganda.
“If somebody is complaining about them being save out of action, it’s about balancing the rights of these that are supposed to be saved and the one who must be save out of action,” he acknowledged. “The wages of sin is dying.” Oboth-Oboth also addressed criticism over UPDF involvement in electoral processes. He acknowledged the navy handiest steps in upon query by the Uganda Police Force, that can also merely be overstretched, critically throughout politically charged intervals.
“If we, the political gamers, behave effectively and are civil, fancy in other developed worldwide locations, there will seemingly be no need for UPDF and even the police,” he acknowledged. “But about a of us bask in now not but matured politically.” He advised politicians to lumber bother-essentially essentially based campaigns and to defend away from inciting divisions along tribal or non secular lines. “Allow us to accommodate what we’re searching to realize for our other folks as a change of debating which tribe or faith is better. That’s outdated college and divisive,” Oboth-Oboth acknowledged.
In a rare bolt, the protection minister equipped what he described as overwhelming enhance for his candidacy—voluminous registers containing better than 32,000 signatures from constituents. This some distance exceeds the required 20 nominators and represents a majority of the 47,000 registered voters in West Budama Central Constituency.
“Earlier than expressing interest, I first consulted my voters to observe if they tranquil settle on me to contest. What I’ve brought nowadays is that feedback,” he advised the Dr. Tanga Odoi-led fee. Within the period in-between, in Katakwi District, Cecelia Anyakoit has been nominated to lumber for Woman Member of Parliament, organising a contest with the incumbent, Uganda’s Vice President, Retired Main Jessica Alupo, who modified into nominated final week.
Anyakoit pledged to promote unity and equitable carrier shipping in Katakwi, focusing on inclusive economic empowerment. “Opportunities ought to be somewhat dispensed, making sure that every the childhood and the aged salvage pleasure from govt functions,” she acknowledged. “My plan to politics is now not pushed by bias however by a precise wish to remodel the district.”
She brings prior management trip, having served as chairperson of the technical committee on the Nationwide Council for Sports and as a worn member of the Uganda Folks’s Congress (UPC).
Among other necessary candidates nominated were Jotham Taremwa, worn Electoral Commission spokesperson, who’s asking for to speak Nyabushozi Constituency in Kiruhura District; Moses Acrobat Kiiza, who goals to reclaim Bughendera Constituency after defeating worn Affirm Minister for Agriculture Christopher Kibazanga in 2021; Brandon Kintu, the incumbent MP for Kagoma County; and Naome Kibajju for Sheema District Woman MP.
As Uganda gears up for one other election cycle, the spotlight now turns to how points of national security, political maturity, and inclusive governance will shape the campaigns forward.
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