Last year, the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the UPDF ventured into private security, a move that has now raised concern among Members of Parliament (MPs).

MPs raised the issue Friday while meeting the Managing Director of NEC, Lieutenant. General James Mugira.

Mugira was challenged on whether the involvement was in breach of the east African country’s constitution.

He said in response that the NEC does not utilise personnel from the UPDF, but rather recruits veterans, Uganda Police Forces, civilians and returnees from countries like Iraq. “Those form the core of the manpower. We are registered under the police because even the licenses are issued by the police,” he said.

“The fire arms we use are not ordinarily used by UPDF but semi-automatic rifles which are used by other private organisations and the UPDF does not pay salaries for the workers.”

The MPs objected with the recruitment of veterans, saying most Ugandans assume that veterans are under the control of the army.

--ChannelAfrica\Linda Kea Moreotsene--