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.