Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced a special Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) operation targeting killers, robbers and rapists, signalling a tougher approach to fighting violent crime.
Muhoozi, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, reportedly said the military would bypass the courts and deal with suspects in a manner similar to the campaign against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the rebel group led by Joseph Kony.
The LRA campaign involved years of military operations across northern Uganda and neighbouring regions as government forces pursued Kony and his fighters.
The latest announcement comes amid public concerns about violent crime, particularly in urban areas, where residents have increasingly expressed frustration over insecurity and what they perceive as shortcomings in law enforcement.
On social media, some supporters have welcomed Muhoozi’s tough stance, arguing that decisive action against violent criminals could help restore public safety.
However, the reference to the LRA campaign has also raised questions about how the proposed operation would be conducted and whether it would deliver the intended results.
The announcement is likely to spark further debate about the military’s role in tackling ordinary criminal offences and the importance of ensuring that suspects are handled in accordance with the law.
Further details about the operation, including its implementation and the procedures to be followed against suspects, have yet to be established
