What security details should Ugandan army General have?

Last Tuesday, the country was mid-morning news of brutal attack on Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and outgoing of Works and Transport minister. 

He had only one bodyguard to offer him protection against four well-armed assailants.
In the ensuing shootout, Gen Katumba’s driver and daughter were hit and died on the spot, while the General suffered multiple bullet wounds on both arms and was rushed to hospital.

At the time of the shooting, Gen Katumba had only one bodyguard, yet he is entitled to many more. 

The sight of a defenceless General outmanoeuvred, outgunned and struggling for rescue with a lone bodyguard at the scene after the assailants had fled, has left many unanswered questions. 

Just how could a decorated army General and former army and police chief move about with only one bodyguard and driver? 

And what level of security is provided for high-ranking military officers or Generals?

While addressing journalists at Medipal International Hospital at Kololo in Kampala, where Gen Katumba was taken for treatment, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Defence ministry spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso, said they were equally puzzled as to why Gen Katumba had only one guard. 

She said the army had availed all required to keep Gen Katumba and all other officers of his rank safe from any possible attack. She said as a former CDF and by virtue of his rank, Gen Katumba should not have had less than four bodyguards at any time.

“He only can answer that surely. We cannot answer why he did not have a lead car. He is a General and minister, hence entitled to one [lead car]. I, therefore, cannot say why he did not have it at that particular time,” she said.

Sources knowledgeable with the army institutional working told Daily Monitor that full Generals are entitled to not less than 15 guards to protect them at all times. The sources, however, said Gen Katumba rejected the flamboyance of moving with a convoy of guards with blaring sirens. The source said even when they go for high command meetings, they are advised to protect themselves. He said in such meetings, Gen Katumba has always moved with a lone bodyguard.

“He has always wanted to be this simple man who can freely mix with people without raising eyebrows about his rank and status. The army takes full care of its officers at that level, but Gen Katumba has always kept a low profile. This could be the reason he only had one guard,” the source said.

Mr Freddie Egesa, a private investigator, said army officers from the rank of a brigadier are well protected. Mr Egesa also said at the rank of a four-star General, the least such an officer can have is a section, which comprises about 15 soldiers.

“He has like a section and those are 15 soldiers. They could even be more, but the least he could be having are 15.  The problem is, they put others in their farms, others at home, leaving only one or two to guard themselves; that is why Flavia [Byekwaso] was saying he should be the one to answer why he had no bodyguards,” Mr Egesa said.

He said even if Gen Katumba did not want to have many guards escorting him, the least number of bodyguard he could keep with him would be two.

Using guards in lead cars
Mr Egesa also said most times, such officers use their guards in lead cars to open the way, exposing them to danger. He said in a situation where there is only one escort car, such should be behind the principal so that if anything happens, they can respond fast.

“This is the mistake they always make. They use their escort cars as lead cars and anybody can come from behind and hit the principal and escape while the escort car is ahead. But when you are behind, it is easier to respond and clear the area because you will be observing what is happening around,” he said.

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