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By Spy Uganda
The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence, Gen (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Gen Salim Saleh, has identified information warfare as one of the most significant challenges confronting modern militaries, warning that evolving security threats require armed forces to continuously adapt.
Speaking during a meeting with Defence Attachés accredited to Uganda at the Heritage Farm Command Post in Kirema, Nakaseke District, Gen Saleh said the character of warfare has changed considerably over the years, shifting from conventional military engagements to more complex and less predictable forms of conflict.
Drawing from Uganda’s liberation struggle and subsequent security experiences, he noted that contemporary threats increasingly include information-based campaigns, public mobilization, and mass demonstrations, which demand new approaches from security institutions.
“We started looking at other forms of warfare that we did not expect,” Gen Saleh said, emphasizing the need for military leaders to understand the changing nature of conflict.
He urged Defence Attachés and military officers to equip themselves with the knowledge, skills, and strategic awareness necessary to identify and respond to emerging threats in an increasingly interconnected world.
Gen Saleh also underscored the importance of understanding the social and economic realities of the communities armed forces serve, arguing that effective security management requires close attention to developments within society.
“There is a need for armies to understand what is happening in society and the socio-economic conditions of the people,” he said.
The veteran military leader explained that reforms within the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) were largely shaped by President Yoweri Museveni’s vision of a professional force that goes beyond traditional defence roles to contribute to national development.
According to Gen Saleh, this thinking inspired greater military involvement in community transformation initiatives, including Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model, which are aimed at improving household incomes and promoting economic empowerment.
“He envisaged a force capable of contributing to food security, participating in wealth creation, and eventually manufacturing some of its own requirements and equipment,” Gen Saleh said.
During the meeting, the Acting Deputy Chief Coordinator of OWC, Brig Gen Godfrey Muwanguzi, highlighted the role of agriculture in driving household income growth. He explained that the four-acre model promoted by OWC encourages families to maximize land productivity through a combination of crop cultivation and livestock farming.
Representing the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen Richard Otto, Col Allan Matsiko, the Assistant Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security responsible for Defence Engagements and International Affairs, commended Gen Saleh for sharing insights into the history of the UPDF, Uganda’s liberation struggle, and the contribution of Operation Wealth Creation to national development.
The engagement brought together senior military officers and diplomatic representatives accredited to Uganda, providing an opportunity to exchange perspectives on contemporary security challenges and the evolving role of armed forces in national development.
Also in attendance were the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement, Richard Todwong, and the Commander of the 1 Infantry Division, Brig Gen Fred Mwesigye.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/gen-saleh-information-warfare-poses-growing-threat-to-global-security/
