By: Morrison Rwakakamba
In 2014, under the rubric of @AgencyFT, I sat with @GodberTumushabe, @Opiaiya, @Gilespies, Bills Agaba and @melinaplatas to discuss the then-in works Patriotism Bill. The issue of ‘mandatory national service’ through enlistment into the military was debated. I do recall the consensus was that the policy is good as long as it is voluntary — and not mandatory. You perhaps don’t want to confuse conscription with national service.
You perhaps don’t want to lose young, skilled people to exile through mandatory military enlistment. You want to create great incentives for such a policy/program so that volunteers overwhelm it. I still agree with the 2014 position. Ndugu @norbertmao — it’s great to revive this issue. Let the public arena deal with it. May the superior argument prevail.
