Probable effects of corruption on the operations of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF)

Abstract

This study sought to explore how corruption is likely to affect the operation of UPDF, What is corruption and its negativities? It was guided by three objectives: How the social cultural factors are likely to contribute to corruption in UPDF during its operations, how the economic factors contribute to corruption in the military operations and how the political interference are likely to contribute to corruption in the army. This study used library-based research to collect information, these included secondary sources, books and journals, court proceedings, articles and news papers. The study found out that social - economic and political factors had great potential of bringing corruption in the operations of UPDF. The main ones include the loopholes in the government policies and laws influence corruption into the operational of UPDF. The main ones include the loopholes in the government policies and laws put in place put in place to mitigate corruption in the country and UPDF in particular. In other cases, other governments may come in to interfere into the military operations. The study found out that moral degeneration had contributed a lot in promoting corruption practices and that had great potential and possibilities of undermining operational effectiveness of the UPDF. It emphasized a need to carry out ideological work in the UPDF, teach patriotism and ethical values. While some people put emphasis on religious morality, others dismiss it on the reason that the religions in Uganda were brought to serve the British economic interests and this has not changed radically. They further argue that whle countries that are full of religions are full of corruption. China which teaches socialism has its ideology and emphasizes patriotism and nationalism has managed to weed out corruption.