Thursday, 31 January 2013
Besigye Lauds President Museveni On Peace And Security
SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 31 JANUARY 2013
http://www.redpepper.co.ug/?p=5347
Former FDC President Kiiza Besigye
Former Forum for Democratic Change president Col .Kizza Besigye has in a surprise turn heaped praise on his political nemesis, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni for restoring peace to the country.
Besigye who is not known to acknowledge the positives of the ruling National resistance Movement headed by President Museveni revealed this on Wednesday in an interview. He however faulted the President for diverting off the mission that inspired the 1981-86 guerrilla war that catapulted the NRA to power.
“I supported the intentions of the bush war which brought the NRM to power, but I am ashamed of what is going on in this leadership.” Besigye said
Besigye’s comments come as the ruling NRM celebrates its 27th anniversary.
Besigye also said corruption in the country has reached unbelievable heights, with numerous scandals coming up every day, criticizing the use of public resources by the top leaders at the expense of the poor masses.
He cited the poor people mostly in the Eastern region who have suffered to an extent of being eaten up by jiggers as the leader lives in extravagance.
Kiiza Besigye contested for the presidency three times in 2001, 2006 and 2011 but lost all to Yoweri Museveni.
The retired Colonel served as Museveni’s personal physician in the National Resistance Army (NRA), when the group waged a guerilla war in the early 1980s and held ministerial positions after the former captured power in 1986.
In 1999, he applied to leave the army after authoring a damning dossier against the government and parted ways with his former commander forming opposition pressure group Reform Agenda before the advent of FDC.
Last year he relinquished power to Mugisha Muntu after retiring from his position as FDC president.
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Aronda sued over coup comments
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 30 JANUARY 2013
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Aronda-sued-over-coup-comments/-/688334/1679130/-/flfhv4/-/index.html
IN SUMMARY
Treason. Luweero Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya claims army commander’s remarks amount to treason.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, has been dragged to court over a statement he made, warning that the army could be forced to take over power if politicians do not change course.
The petition filed at Nakawa Magistrates Court is based on an affidavit sworn by Luweero Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya, who wants Aronda charged with three counts of treason.
He faces charges of treason related to contriving a plot, by force of arms to overthrow the Government of Uganda as by law established contrary to Section 23(1)c of the Penal Code Act. The CDF is also accused of treason through intimidating and inciting the military against the institution of Parliament, contrary to Section 23(2)a.
He is further accused of inciting officers and men of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to commit an act or acts of mutiny and treachery.
Gen. Nyakairima stands accused of having committed the said offences during a press conference at the Army Headquarters, Mbuya, on January 23.
Ms Nabukenya avers that she has been advised by her lawyers that the CDF’s comments amount to criminal offences, including inciting the army to commit a crime, treason, offences against the State, concealment of treason and terrorism.
Gen. Nyakairima stands accused of having committed the said offences during a press conference at the Army Headquarters, Mbuya, on January 23.
Ms Nabukenya avers that she has been advised by her lawyers that the CDF’s comments amount to criminal offences, including inciting the army to commit a crime, treason, offences against the State, concealment of treason and terrorism.
Mr Caleb Alaka of M/S Alaka & Company Advocates is representing Ms Nabukenya, according to court documents seen by this newspaper.
“We think there was an act of treason committed by the Chief of Defence Forces,” said Mr Alaka last evening shortly after filing the case. “This is an elected government, you cannot as army commander talk of a taking-over even if the President has spoken. The President cannot overthrow himself but the army can.”
“We think there was an act of treason committed by the Chief of Defence Forces,” said Mr Alaka last evening shortly after filing the case. “This is an elected government, you cannot as army commander talk of a taking-over even if the President has spoken. The President cannot overthrow himself but the army can.”
Ms Nabukenya said she was compelled to petition the court following an outcry from her constituents in Luweero.
Submission
“It is a fact that I have filed a case. You know I represent the people of Luweero, the area that suffered most under the war that brought this government to power, and my people have been complaining to me, saying they fear a return to conflict. Beside the feelings of the people, it is against the Constitution to talk of overtaking the government,” Ms Nabukenya said. “There was a need for someone to come out and account.”
The petition is the latest twist in a growing dispute over the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of Parliament, which goes back to arguments about corruption during passionate debate on the oil sector.
This dispute escalated following the death of Butaleja MP Cerinah Nebanda on December 14, 2012.
“It is a fact that I have filed a case. You know I represent the people of Luweero, the area that suffered most under the war that brought this government to power, and my people have been complaining to me, saying they fear a return to conflict. Beside the feelings of the people, it is against the Constitution to talk of overtaking the government,” Ms Nabukenya said. “There was a need for someone to come out and account.”
The petition is the latest twist in a growing dispute over the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of Parliament, which goes back to arguments about corruption during passionate debate on the oil sector.
This dispute escalated following the death of Butaleja MP Cerinah Nebanda on December 14, 2012.
In an affidavit accompanying the petition, Ms Nabukenya tries to establish a link between the death of Nebanda, the subsequent fall-out between the Executive and Parliament after a section of MPs questioned government handling of the investigation and its own role in her suspicious demise.
Ms Nabukenya’s lawyers said they plan to serve Gen. Nyakairima through the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence but it was not clear whether the petition had been delivered by press time.
Treason is a capital offence and attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
Ms Nabukenya’s lawyers said they plan to serve Gen. Nyakairima through the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence but it was not clear whether the petition had been delivered by press time.
Treason is a capital offence and attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Besigye Arrested, Released Without Charge
SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 27 JANUARY 2013
http://www.redpepper.co.ug/?p=5211
Kiiza Besigye Being arrested during the 2011 protests. He was on Saturday arrested again for disobeying Police orders
Former Forum for Democratic Change leader Rtd Col Dr Kiiza Besigye who was on Saturday arrested by the Police for disobeying lawful orders after he attempted to participate in the planned cleaning exercise that the Police had outlawed was released later on Saturday night without any charges, according to one of his aides Francis Mwijukye.
Mwijukye who is a member of FDC’s National Publicity committee said the Rtd Col refused to sign a Police bond and be released without charge, however he was forced to change his mind at around 10 pm in the night when Police officers at Kiira Road Police station ‘deserted’ it leaving his team with no option but to take him home.
“Police was yesterday thrown into confusion after Dr. Besigye refused to make a statement at police and refused to sign a police release bond. He said he cant leave the police unless he is charged. He also said he cant sign a police bond because he did not request for it and at around 10pm security started abandoning the station one by one until only juniors remained and we took the Dr. home. They had been used to… take him to the police cells and in the evening they make him sign a statement and give him a police bond. now the game has changed, no more talking at police” read Mwijukye’s statement posted on his Facebook wall Sunday morning.
Police authorities said Saturday they arrested Kizza Besigye over plans to restart anti-government demonstrations in Kampala with the excuse of a cleaning exercise.
“Following attempts to unlawfully assemble and carry out riotous demonstrations … Kizza Besigye has been arrested this morning,” a Police statement said on Saturday.
The police said Besigye was charged with “refusal to obey lawful orders” and was being held at a Kampala police station along with Kampala mayor Elias Lukwago. However, this is contrary to Mwijukye’s statement that didnt indicate whether the Rtd colonel was charged
Opposition pressure group For God and My Country (4GC) announced plans last week to launch fresh protest events, despite the fact the group was last year outlawed by government.
The government banned the group claiming it had ulterior motives other than demonstrating against the harsh economic times during that period.
The group held Protests dubbed ‘walk-to-work’ over rising living costs in 2011 in the aftermath of the general elections and this led to a fierce clampdown by security forces that left at least 10 people dead across the country.
Kiiza Besigye, a former presidential challenger and leader of main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change, has been detained repeatedly as he has endeavored to restart opposition demonstrations.
CIID ordered to summon 4GC leaders
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 27 JANUARY 2013
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/CIID-ordered-to-summon-4GC-leaders/-/688334/1675026/-/15imptd/-/index.html
IN SUMMARY
Mr Kaweesi alleged that the politicians, including former Forum for Democratic Change President Kizza Besigye and Mr Mathias Mpuuga engaged in unlawful society.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi, has ordered the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department to summon all opposition politicians who attended the For God and My Country (4GC) press conference at Katonga Road in Kampala on Wednesday.
Mr Kaweesi alleged that the politicians, including former Forum for Democratic Change President Kizza Besigye and Mr Mathias Mpuuga engaged in unlawful society.
“The Attorney General declared 4GC and its activities illegal. So these people met at Katonga Road and participated in unlawful society,” Mr Kaweesi said yesterday.
It is, however, not clear how the police came to a conclusion that the group was holding an illegal meeting.
Mr Kaweesi said they got information through intelligence that the meeting was attended by the members of a banned society.
Other officials targeted are Jeema party president Asuman Basalirwa and Mr Muwanga Kivumbi for Butambala County.
Other officials targeted are Jeema party president Asuman Basalirwa and Mr Muwanga Kivumbi for Butambala County.
The summonses come at a time when the KCCA Lord Mayor, Mr Erias Lukwago, announced a cleanup exercise in the city centre on Saturday which the opposition leaders are expected to participate in.
Mr Kaweesi said since the cleanup exercise has been hijacked by the 4GC, they would not allow it to take place.
Mr Kaweesi said since the cleanup exercise has been hijacked by the 4GC, they would not allow it to take place.
“The function has been taken over by the 4GC therefore we can’t allow an illegal society to take place,” he said.
Mr Mpuuga, when contacted yesterday, said they cannot be intimidated by the police summonses because that is one of the methods used by dictatorial regimes to suppress human rights.
“These summonses they want to use don’t move us an inch. We are waiting to be arrested and detained. This has become part of our life in the fight against dictatorship,” Mr Mpuuga said.
He said they are challenging the Attorney General declaration of 4GC in court, adding that they would participate in the clean-up exercise despite the police warning them against it.
Police detain Besigye and Kampala Mayor Lukwago
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 27 JANUARY 2013
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-detains-Besigye-and-Kampala-Mayor-Lukwago/-/688334/1675834/-/r8appg/-/index.html
The Kampala north director of operations, Mr Sam Omala, grabs a garden fork from Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago before he was arrested and taken to Kiira Road Police Station. Police had earlier camped at Mr Lukwago’s residence from as early as midnight to bar him from participating in the opposition-led city cleaning exercise.
Former Forum for Democratic Change President, Dr Kizza Besigye and Kampala Lord Mayor, Mr Erias Lukwago were Saturday morning arrested and detained at Kiira police station and Kira Road Police station respectively.
Police say the politicians will be interrogated for participating in an event organised by an outlawed group.
Mid-last week, Dr Besigye and several other members of the pressure group known as For God and My Country (4GC) held a press conference in Kampala which the police declared illegal saying attending the group’s activities tantamounts to unlawful society.
This prompted Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi, to order the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department to summon all opposition politicians who attended the press conference at Katonga Road in Kampala on Wednesday, culminating to the arrest of Dr Besigye and Mr Lukwago.
Others being hunted by police over the same charges are Jeema party president Asuman Basalirwa and Butambala County MP, Mr Muwanga Kivumbi.
Dr Besigye was picked from his Kasangati home early this morning and taken to Kiira police station. Mr Lukwago is being held at Kiira Road police station. It is not clear when the two will be charged.
The arrests come just a day after the two were issued with police summons to appear at the Kireka- based Special Investigation Unit (SIU).
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Police Summons Besigye, 4GC Leaders Over Cleaning Exercise
SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 26 JANUARY 2013
http://www.redpepper.co.ug/?p=5176
Former FDC President Kiiza Besigye
MPs Muwanga Kivumbi and Mathias Mpuuga, FDC Women League boss Ingrid Turinawe and JEEMA leader Asuman Basalirwa were informed of the summons on Friday according to Deputy Police spokesperson Vincent Ssekate.
The activists who are expected to appear at Special Investigations Unit in Kireka will be grilled by detectives for what police has termed as “managing an unlawful assembly.”
The 4GC activists including Besigye, mid-week announced the resumption of political undertakings in Kampala including a cleaning exercise of the city expected for Saturday.
According to Mathias Mpuuga, the 4GC Coordinator, while addressing the press on Wednesday at the group would be joining Kampala City Mayor Erias Lukwago this weekend to participate in the Clean Kampala exercise.
He called on all Kampala citizens to turn up in big numbers armed with all cleaning gear to carry out the exercise.
Leading opposition figures are expected to address would address city residents at what he termed a “consultative rally”. The venue for this rally Nakivubo Blue Primary School.
According to Police, the said cleaning exercise is an excuse by the activists to gather and cause chaos which he said security will not tolerate instead vowing to arrest those who participate.
Deputy Police Spokesperson Vincent Ssekate said while the onus is on Police to respect and uphold the constitutional rights of individuals and groups to assemble and express their opinions, it will not tolerate actions intended to put others’ lives and property in danger.
4GC replaced Activists For Change, an advocacy group created by mainly opposition figures in the aftermath of the last Presidential elections.
Their actions saw a spate of violent engagements between the activists and Police as the latter tried to block the former from organizing riots in the city which the activists claim were to protest the harsh economic times.
The government has treated this group with suspicion claiming their aim is to overthrow the establishment. Last year, the government outlawed the group.
What waits to be seen however is whether the opposition leaders summoned will honor their summons as they have a history of going against them.
Generals clash on coup talk
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 26 JANUARY 2012
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Generals-clash-on-coup-talk/-/688334/1675382/-/liq73/-/index.html
Several veteran soldiers have weighed in on the
raging debate about the possibility of a coup, with some describing talk
of a military takeover as “barbaric”.
Maj. (rtd) John Kazoora, who fought in the
five-year Bush War have that brought President Museveni to power in
1986, said the possibility of a coup amounts to treason.
“The coup plotters should be questioned by police.
It’s treasonable to insinuate that the army can take over power when we
have a Constitution,” Maj. Kazoora, now a member of the opposition FDC,
said. “If those treasonable comments were made by other people, I am
sure they would be compelled to record statements with police. I want to
make it clear; I will use my last atom/effort and energy to resist such
barbaric acts.”
Maj. Kazoora, who described the comments made by
Mr Museveni, Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga and the Chief of Defence
Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, on the possibility of a military
takeover as unfortunate, did not explain how he intends to resist the
action in case it happens.
However, Brig. Fred Mwesigye, who fought in the
Bush War and currently represents Nyabushozi County in Parliament,
defended the army, saying it is “trying to reclaim democratic rights it
fought for”.
Brig. Mwesigye, without stating names, said some
leaders were abusing parliamentary privilege to preach “hate” against
the government.
But his views were contested by Maj. Gen. Jim
Muhwezi, a former spy chief, minister and now backbencher in Parliament.
Gen. Muhwezi, who vowed to oppose any attempts of a military takeover,
said nothing warrants a coup currently.
He said such action could only be justified if the
country slipped back into chaos and that the army is “non-partisan but a
politicised”, adding that “it’s not apolitical, our army is political
but it’s non-partisan” and it is conscious of the will of people.
Speaking on the matter yesterday, the Army
Spokesperson, Col. Felix Kulayigye, said: “The UPDF cannot overthrow the
Constitution of Uganda. The peoples’ army cannot overthrow democracy.
But the people’s army cannot tolerate mobocracy.”
The army spokesperson said the military leaders
are only cautioning politicians who are plotting to “overthrow the
Constitution”.
Backing up the accusations, Col. Kulayigye cited
incidents where MPs attempted to grab the Speaker’s mace during the
controversial debate of the oil Bill and when they investigated the
death of Butaleja MP Cerinah Nebanda alongside the police.
“We have witnessed so many deaths in the country,
why did they get involved in this one and not others? No one has ever
stopped police investigations and so they should never,” he said.
On separation of powers, Col. Kulayigye said: “You
don’t expect the President to respect Parliament when they don’t
respect the Presidency. The ultimate responsibility of security and
stability of the country lies with the President. We call upon our
leaders to respect the pillars of government.”
Asked to comment, Justice Minister and Bush War
combatant Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, declined. “Why don’t you ask the
people who made the comments? Leave me alone,” he told the Saturday
Monitor.
A military coup cannot be justified
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 26 JANUARY 2013
http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/A-military-coup-cannot-be-justified/-/689364/1675040/-/p55kp1/-/index.html
In Summary
Nobody ever dreams of using snakes to manage a rat
problem because much as snakes can effectively control a rat population,
snakes are also very dangerous to human beings and domestic animals. It
is so obvious but sometimes absurd examples make the best illustration.
Imagine for a moment that your house had been
invaded by rats, eating your food and destroying your property. If the
rats were resistant to poison and wise to traps what would you do? Would
you buy a cat? What if the cat was no good at hunting or was simply
overwhelmed by the number of rats, what would you do? Would you buy some
snakes? Snakes eat rats and can slither into the tiny nooks and
crannies that a cat can’t reach. So surely it would make sense to use
snakes to eradicate the rodent problem once and for all, wouldn’t it?
Would it make a difference to your answer if the infestation was
outdoors on a farm?
Nobody ever dreams of using snakes to manage a rat problem because much as snakes can effectively control a rat population, snakes are also very dangerous to human beings and domestic animals. It is so obvious but sometimes absurd examples make the best illustration.
Over the last year or so, there has been tension between the 9th Parliament and the Executive. Although Parliament overwhelmingly comprises of members of the National Resistance Movement, on a number of occasions it has defied the express wishes of the President, Cabinet and the NRM Caucus. Led by a group of “Young Turks”, Parliament started exhibiting an “independent” streak with its fight against corruption, which led to the resignation of a number of Ministers and culminated in a pitched battle, as it were, in the famous Oil Debate. The tensions increased following the mysterious death of Cerinah Nebanda. A move to petition the Speaker to recall Parliament to debate Nebanda’s death was opposed by the Executive. It was halted when the Speaker declined to act on the petition.
The provisions of the Constitution, which is the supreme law of Uganda with binding effect on all persons and authorities, are very clear when it comes to setting out the functions and powers of the Executive and the Legislature, respectively. It is clear, that in a number of actions and utterances, some MPs have violated or acted in contravention of the Constitution. Perhaps out of an over enthusiastic interpretation of their oversight role, some Parliamentarians have encroached on areas that are constitutionally the preserve of the Executive or the Judiciary. On occasion, Parliamentary Committees have violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights of persons who have appeared before them. The behaviour of Parliament, as a whole, and individual MPs is subject to the law. The Speaker and the Parliamentary Commission can lawfully punish indiscipline using mechanisms and powers set out in the rules of Parliament. MPs are also politically answerable to their parties and constituencies. Party whips, in the first instance, and executive committees can lawfully bring political consequences to bear on any MPs deemed errant and out of line. Constituents can also democratically discipline an MP by voting him or her out in a general election. Ultimately, if any MPs or Parliament as a whole does anything that is inconsistent with or in contravention of the Constitution, then any person may petition the Constitutional Court for a declaration to that effect and redress where appropriate.
I am sure that the Executive has come to consider the 9th Parliament a little bit like a rat infestation. However, absolutely nothing said or done by any one or all of the MPs can justify the threats of a military takeover that have been attributed to President, Museveni, the Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga or, lately, the Chief of Defence Forces, General Aronda Nyakairima. A military takeover would amount to the overthrow of the established constitutional order and would be tantamount to treason according to Article 3 of the Constitution. The same article enjoins every Ugandan to defend the Constitution and, in particular, to resist any person or group of persons seeking to overthrow the established constitutional order.
Uganda’s experience with military takeovers, starting right from 1966, has not been pleasant. They set off a chain reaction of political and constitutional instability, which engendered tyranny and oppression and which, in turn, led to conflict and massive loss of life. The framers of the 1995 Constitution intended this Constitution to be the foundation of a lasting liberal democratic constitutional dispensation. In this dispensation everybody is equal under the law. All constitutional and other disputes incapable of amicable resolution must be resolved by resort to Courts. Political disputes must be resolved lawfully in the political arena by putting matters to the vote in general elections or referenda.
The Constitution does not condone or countenance any resort to violence to solve constitutional or political problems. A military takeover would also be totally disproportionate to any violation of the Constitution or political annoyance allegedly committed by Parliament; in short, much like using a snake to deal with a rat infestation.
In light of Uganda’s blighted and blood soaked history, whilst Parliament should be mindful of the constitutional constraints upon it, coup threats should be as socially and politically illegitimate as apology for genocide is in Rwanda today.
Nobody ever dreams of using snakes to manage a rat problem because much as snakes can effectively control a rat population, snakes are also very dangerous to human beings and domestic animals. It is so obvious but sometimes absurd examples make the best illustration.
Over the last year or so, there has been tension between the 9th Parliament and the Executive. Although Parliament overwhelmingly comprises of members of the National Resistance Movement, on a number of occasions it has defied the express wishes of the President, Cabinet and the NRM Caucus. Led by a group of “Young Turks”, Parliament started exhibiting an “independent” streak with its fight against corruption, which led to the resignation of a number of Ministers and culminated in a pitched battle, as it were, in the famous Oil Debate. The tensions increased following the mysterious death of Cerinah Nebanda. A move to petition the Speaker to recall Parliament to debate Nebanda’s death was opposed by the Executive. It was halted when the Speaker declined to act on the petition.
The provisions of the Constitution, which is the supreme law of Uganda with binding effect on all persons and authorities, are very clear when it comes to setting out the functions and powers of the Executive and the Legislature, respectively. It is clear, that in a number of actions and utterances, some MPs have violated or acted in contravention of the Constitution. Perhaps out of an over enthusiastic interpretation of their oversight role, some Parliamentarians have encroached on areas that are constitutionally the preserve of the Executive or the Judiciary. On occasion, Parliamentary Committees have violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights of persons who have appeared before them. The behaviour of Parliament, as a whole, and individual MPs is subject to the law. The Speaker and the Parliamentary Commission can lawfully punish indiscipline using mechanisms and powers set out in the rules of Parliament. MPs are also politically answerable to their parties and constituencies. Party whips, in the first instance, and executive committees can lawfully bring political consequences to bear on any MPs deemed errant and out of line. Constituents can also democratically discipline an MP by voting him or her out in a general election. Ultimately, if any MPs or Parliament as a whole does anything that is inconsistent with or in contravention of the Constitution, then any person may petition the Constitutional Court for a declaration to that effect and redress where appropriate.
I am sure that the Executive has come to consider the 9th Parliament a little bit like a rat infestation. However, absolutely nothing said or done by any one or all of the MPs can justify the threats of a military takeover that have been attributed to President, Museveni, the Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga or, lately, the Chief of Defence Forces, General Aronda Nyakairima. A military takeover would amount to the overthrow of the established constitutional order and would be tantamount to treason according to Article 3 of the Constitution. The same article enjoins every Ugandan to defend the Constitution and, in particular, to resist any person or group of persons seeking to overthrow the established constitutional order.
Uganda’s experience with military takeovers, starting right from 1966, has not been pleasant. They set off a chain reaction of political and constitutional instability, which engendered tyranny and oppression and which, in turn, led to conflict and massive loss of life. The framers of the 1995 Constitution intended this Constitution to be the foundation of a lasting liberal democratic constitutional dispensation. In this dispensation everybody is equal under the law. All constitutional and other disputes incapable of amicable resolution must be resolved by resort to Courts. Political disputes must be resolved lawfully in the political arena by putting matters to the vote in general elections or referenda.
The Constitution does not condone or countenance any resort to violence to solve constitutional or political problems. A military takeover would also be totally disproportionate to any violation of the Constitution or political annoyance allegedly committed by Parliament; in short, much like using a snake to deal with a rat infestation.
In light of Uganda’s blighted and blood soaked history, whilst Parliament should be mindful of the constitutional constraints upon it, coup threats should be as socially and politically illegitimate as apology for genocide is in Rwanda today.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Muntu warns army on coup talk
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 25 JANUARY 2013
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Muntu-warns-army-on-coup-talk/-/688334/1674556/-/lhrp7g/-/index.html
The FDC president, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, addresses journalists
at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala yesterday. Gen.
Muntu warned that any attempt by the army to overthrow the government,
as suggested by top politicians recently, would be ‘stupid and
counter-productive’.
In Summary
Warning bells. FDC boss and ex-army commander
says military takeover would be ‘stupid’, as Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi says
he will oppose any coup attempt.
Former army commander and now leader of the
Forum for Democratic Change, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, yesterday warned
that a military takeover of government would not only be stupid, but
also counterproductive.
Maj. Gen.(rtd) Muntu, who commanded the UPDF for
nearly nine years, becoming the longest serving officer in that position
in the country’s history, sent a direct warning to the men and women in
uniform at a press conference he called at the headquarters in Kampala.
He, however, refused to be drawn into commenting
on whether the President, Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga and army
chief Gen. Aronda Nyakairima’s comments about a possible coup may amount
to treason.
“I don’t want to speculate and say much,” he said
when asked if the comments were treasonable. “To the UPDF, I have this
to say: no officer should be tempted to think of overthrowing the
government as insinuated by the Head of State as trying to do so would
not only be foolish but also counterproductive,” he said.
Uganda’s Constitution provides that all power
belongs to the people who shall express how they will be governed
through free and fair elections. Any attempt to take control of
government under any other means is prohibited by the same Constitution
and is sanctioned as treasonable.
Maj. Gen Muntu said the President, Dr Kiyonga and
Gen. Nyakairima were engaging in “psychological warfare” as a tactic to
intimidate political actors. He said the government, which marks 27
years in power this week having shot its way to power in 1986, is in
free fall.
“Personally, I think it is a tactic to intimidate
Parliament for it to check itself. President Museveni has realised that
he has lost control over the party and he knows that if he loses control
over Parliament, he will lose whatever means he has been using to
manipulate power,” Maj. Gen. Muntu said.
“The regime is in a state of free-fall and the
military must start engaging in scenario building because there is an
inevitable change that is coming and the institution should not be taken
by surprise.”
President Museveni was quoted as having told
ruling party MPs at their recent Kyankwanzi retreat that if the
“confusion” in Parliament persists, the military would not allow it.
Dr Kiyonga had earlier said the army was watching
and could take over to “refocus the future of the country”. On
Wednesday, Gen. Nyakairima said this message “was deliberately sent
out.”
Yesterday, Maj. Gen. Muntu pointed out that “when
Members of Parliament rise up in a bipartisan effort to demand a stop to
the cancer of corruption, it cannot be characterised as confusion.”
A dispute arising out of perceptions that Mr
Museveni is interfering with the independence of Parliament and the
constitutional principle of separation of powers gained momentum when he
moved to stop a bid to have the House recalled.
MPs, who have taken an increasingly independent
line in their fight against what they say is widespread corruption in
government, wanted Parliament recalled from recess following the sudden
death of the Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda in December.
Mr Museveni, however, resisted the bid, held
meetings with Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who recently indicated that she
would not recall MPs. Ms Kadaga has since been accused of bowing to Mr
Museveni and compromising Parliament.
Nagenda responds
Senior Presidential adviser on the Media, Mr John Nagenda, yesterday insisted that President Museveni is still in control of Parliament and the NRM but “is just employing a three-line whip to contain” legislators.
Senior Presidential adviser on the Media, Mr John Nagenda, yesterday insisted that President Museveni is still in control of Parliament and the NRM but “is just employing a three-line whip to contain” legislators.
Aronda says army takeover possible
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 24 JANUARY 2013
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Aronda-says-army-takeover-possible/-/688334/1673856/-/eg5q6q/-/index.html
Army Commander Gen. Nyakairima addresses journalists yesterday in Kampala. PHOTO BY Rebecca Vassie
In Summary
Threat? Days after the President and Defence
minister warned of possible military takeover in case of a political
stalemate, army commander says the warning is not far-fetched.
The military leadership yesterday weighed in on
the debate around the likelihood of the army staging a coup as has been
suggested by President Museveni and his Minister of Defence, warning
that “the message was deliberately sent out.”
Addressing a press conference to announce plans
for this year’s Army Day, which falls on 6th February, the Chief of
Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, said the military would not
allow “bad politics” take Uganda back into turmoil.
“We are going about our normal business. I can’t
do more than what they said. The message was well taken for those to who
it was intended. Stand warned. Stand advised. Should you not change
course, other things will be brought into play. Let no one return to the
past. We have seen enough, almost 25 years of turmoil.
Gen. Aronda was responding to a question raised by
a journalist and when asked for clarification on the coup talk, he
said, “the message was deliberately sent out and we leave it at that.”
More than a week ago, Defence minister, Dr
Kiyonga, said that the army was watching and that there was a
possibility that it could re-insert itself should the politicians in
Parliament continue “not showing seriousness that they can solve the
problems” facing the country.
He said that such an intervention would be carried out to “refocus the country’s future”.
Assertive Parliament
The comments came at a time when the regime is faced with an assertive Parliament which refuses to back down in the fight against widespread corruption, among other social ills.
The comments came at a time when the regime is faced with an assertive Parliament which refuses to back down in the fight against widespread corruption, among other social ills.
Days later, President Museveni was also quoted as
having told ruling party members of parliament in Kyankwanzi that if the
“confusion” in Parliament persists, the military would not allow it.
Both comments have drawn swift condemnation from
regime critics who say that the ground is being set for Mr Museveni to
carry out a ‘palace coup’ and replace the current relative democratic
order with an overt military government.
The President and Dr Kiyonga have also been asked
by the same critics to remember that Uganda is a democracy with an
elected government.
Others have pointed out that the military is already an intimate part of the country’s political landscape with serving army officers deployed in non-traditional roles, and 10 representatives sitting in the House as army MPs.
Others have pointed out that the military is already an intimate part of the country’s political landscape with serving army officers deployed in non-traditional roles, and 10 representatives sitting in the House as army MPs.
Professional army
Uganda’s present army evolved from a guerilla force (NRA) but is today applauded by Mr Museveni as a professional law-abiding force unlike past armies that were notorious for committing atrocities and overriding legitimate civilian authority.
Uganda’s present army evolved from a guerilla force (NRA) but is today applauded by Mr Museveni as a professional law-abiding force unlike past armies that were notorious for committing atrocities and overriding legitimate civilian authority.
The country has suffered a bloody history
associated with military rule which the President usually refers to
whenever he talks about what he calls the “peace and stability ushered
in by the NRA/M”.
Yesterday, Gen. Aronda said the three-week civil
military activities before February 6 will see UPDF repair 15 boreholes,
renovate six health centres, construct two toilet and bathrooms, four
classrooms and two bridges in West Nile region.
The Chief of UPDF medical services, Lt. Col. Dr
Stephen Kusasira said starting Monday, the army will carry out public
health interventions that include cleaning of general wards,
immunisation, deworming, dental and maternal health services in the
districts of Koboko, Nebbi, Arua, Yumbe, Zombo and others.
The Chief of Defence Forces said the Uganda
Peoples Defence Forces was giving back to society as part of celebrating
peace, development and security in the country.
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