A senior officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Major General Richard Prit Olum commonly known as Dick Olum is under fire after a video of him participating in a ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) campaign rally went viral online.
Gen. Olum, who currently commands the South Sudan Stabilisation Mechanism, an observer force responsible for monitoring regional peace agreements, was captured on camera dancing alongside NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and State Minister for General Duties Justine Kasule Lumumba.
The event took place in Zombo District, West Nile, where President Yoweri Museveni was campaigning over the weekend. The footage, which shows Olum in full military uniform, has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the politicisation of the army.
Public Outcry and Calls for Disciplinary Action
Human rights activists and political commentators quickly condemned the general’s participation in partisan politics.
Dr. Sarah Bireete, a prominent human rights advocate, wrote on social media: “Maj Gen Dick Olum needs to leave the partisan NRM campaign trail and should possibly face a court martial for violating the Constitution, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (PPOA), the UPDF Act, and Uganda’s electoral laws.”
Observers argue that Olum’s actions represent a clear breach of constitutional principles. Article 208(2) of the Ugandan Constitution explicitly states that the UPDF “shall be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive, and subordinate to civilian authority.”
Concerns Over Military Neutrality
Critics say that the incident reflects a growing erosion of institutional neutrality in Uganda’s security forces.Political commentator Jimmy Kiberu remarked, “There is no institution that has not been affected by Musevenism. The UPDF is a partisan army.”
This latest controversy adds to a series of concerns over the military’s involvement in politics, especially as the country moves closer to the next general elections.
A Broader Pattern of Institutional Partisanship Maj. Gen. Olum’s case follows a similar controversy involving the Uganda Police Force.
Recently, the Deputy Regional Police Commander for Greater Masaka, Annabella Nyinamahoro, was filmed campaigning for NRM candidate Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo while in full police uniform. In the video, Nyinamahoro is heard telling voters, “You people are lucky to have a candidate like Kasolo, who represents Central Uganda on the NRM Central Executive Committee.”
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that internal investigations had been launched into her conduct, stressing that such behavior undermines the professionalism and neutrality expected of the force.
The participation of senior security officials in partisan political activities continues to raise alarms among civil society groups, who warn that such acts erode public confidence in Uganda’s democratic institutions.
Whether Maj. Gen. Dick Olum faces disciplinary action or not remains to be seen, but his appearance on the campaign trail has reignited debates about the military’s role in Uganda’s political landscape.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
