The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has sought to distance itself from the fall-out between President Museveni and the Secretary General of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
A statement issued by the ministry of defence yesterday said the army will execute its constitutional mandate and shall not take sides in partisan politics, saying the media should not drag it into the politics.
“The UPDF will continue to act professionally in all circumstances and will not accept to be dragged in partisan politics. We will continue to implement our constitutional mandate of preserving, defending and protecting all people, their property, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda,” a statement signed by Defence spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, read.
In the statement to the media, Lt Col Ankunda accused the media of publishing articles which were construed to mean particular high ranking army officials have favoured political actors for whom they express support publically.
“The former Prime Minister Hon Amama Mbabazi is reported to have listed army officials into good people and ‘evil ones’ and that the bad people included officers like Gen Kale Kayihura, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi and Brig Ronnie Barya whereas Brig James Mugira was reported among the friendly officers to Hon Mbabazi,” Ankunda said quoting an October 19 Red Pepper story.
Gen Kayihura is the Inspector General of Police while Maj Gen Muhwezi is the MP for Rujumbura County in Rukungiri District. Brig Barya is a former Director General of the Internal Security Organisation while Brig Mugira heads the army’s Luweero industries.
Lt Col Ankunda said such reports are likely to create disharmony within the army.
“These reports are geared towards creating divisionism in a Force that has come a long way addressing past armies’ mistakes to build a professional, disciplined, united and pro people UPDF meant for the impartial defence of all the people in Uganda,” he said.
Asked later whether the army will salute any person who emerges as national leader, the army publicist quipped: “It is part of our professional conduct. The army will…”
The army’s stance comes against the backdrop of calls for electoral reforms as the country moves towards the decisive 2016 general elections with civil society and Opposition parties calling for the reexamination of the army’s role in the electoral process.
Renowned human rights lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi also watered down the army statement, saying, “The army’s statement is borne out of guilt because they know the public has never believed in its neutrality over political issues. Gen Kayihura, a high ranking serving officer, has said Museveni is still very much needed.”
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has been at the centre of calls for electoral reforms, laughed off the army’s warning to the media as, “a political statement that is neither here nor there”.
Mr Lukwago argued that the army has time and again actively participated in elections with partisan tendencies and their representation (10 MPs) in a multi-party Parliament defeats the statement issued yesterday.
“Recently, the army under Gen Aronda Nyakairima, warned Parliament that it will not hesitate to take over if Parliament messes up. Why haven’t they warned President Museveni who is a retired soldier but continues to brandish an AK-47 to intimidate opponents and citizens? Why hasn’t the army stopped NRM MPs from wearing army uniform at (the National Leadership Institute) Kyankwazi?”
Past accusations
A sharp accusatory finger has been severally pointed at the army for its role in the country’s politics. In the 2001 and 2006 petitions by former FDC leader and three-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, claimed some voters were disenfranchised by the army.
Democratic Party president Mr Nobert Mao recently told a symposium on constitutionalism at Makerere University that, “In 1996 (President) Museveni asked his predecessor Dr Kawanga Ssemogerere, “Where his generals were and said he would not hand over power to anyone even if he won”. He also claimed that now exiled Gen David Sejusa said he would not salute Ssemogerere.”
The Daily Monitor
UM– USEKE.RW
