By Timothy Nsubuga

6^th January 2012:

Seated: Museveni soon aftr capturing power

Exactly 31 years to the day since President Yoweri Museveni’s then National Resistance Army [NRA] rebel commander Elly Tumwine [now General] fired the first shot that set the NRA off on a long and bloody five year struggle to capture power, a serving Colonel in the national army the Uganda Peoples Defence Force [UPDF] has said Uganda needs another ‘Tarehe Sita’.

Speaking to this reporter last week on strict condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, the decorated army officer who joined the army a few years Museveni took power on 6^th January 1986 said, “…I never fought in Luwero.  But it’s the ideals of the Luwero struggle that inspired me to serve my country.  When I look around today, I can’t see any of the ideals that inspired me.  The time may therefore be ripe for a new generation of patriots to launch another Tarehe Sita.  If it can be done without guns and bloodshed, the better, but all options must remain on the table.”

Asked why he thought another ‘Tarehe Sita’ was necessary, the Colonel, who declined to state his current UPDF role and posting, launched straight into a long list of things that he says have gone wrong which in his view, need to be corrected by a new revolution to be spearheaded by the youth of Uganda who have a bigger stake in its future.

“…For a start, ask yourself why the NRA historicals launched the Luwero struggle.  They launched it because Obote had rigged the 1980 elections.  The situation is sadly not different today.  In 1996, Semogerere complained that Mzee had rigged the elections.  In 2001, 2006, and 2011, Besigye produced evidence of serious rigging.  All these people can’t be wrong.” the Colonel said.

Other than election rigging, he said the other serious failing of the Obote government that forced Museveni to fight for liberation was human rights abuses by the Uganda National Liberation Army [UNLA].  That, he said, had to be stopped and Museveni was right to launch a campaign to stop it at all costs.

“…Mzee’s decision to fight Obote was fully justified.  UNLA soldiers had simply gone out of control.  Innocent wannainchi were being harassed and even killed on a daily basis.  The NRA struggle stopped all that.  Everyone was free and happy for a few years.  It therefore pains me to admit to you that since 2001, our own troops have engaged in serious human rights abuses against those who disagree with the NRM.  That is not what I joined the army for and it has to be stopped.” said the Colonel.

When challenged by this reporter to give specific examples of human rights abuses committed by his fellow UPDF officers, the Colonel singled out Major Ronald Kakoza Mutale, the 2001 and 2011 general elections, saying they were the bloodiest in Uganda’s history and the army was at the centre of it.

“…The 2001 elections were the bloodiest in Uganda’s history and sadly, our own military police officers were the perpetrators of those atrocities.  We all remember how they took over the streets beating Besigye’s supporters.  They even knocked dead some people who were sweeping the road for Besigye in Kireka.  Kakoza Mutale also joined the harassment of civilians with his militia and nothing was done to him.  In February last year, we saw similar things, with military police all over the streets and at polling stations.  That cannot be right and it must stop.” the Colonel said with great passion and emotion.

One of the other top most reasons that the Colonel said now justifies another ‘Tarehe Sita’ is the widespread corruption pervading the country.  In his view, corruption under the NRM government has reached a point where it could easily pull down the entire country if it’s not immediately arrested through a concerted effort.

“…Obote made many mistakes.  But we must also assess his legacy fairly.  During his rule, corruption at this scale was totally unheard of.  Today, corruption is on the verge of pulling down our country.  For me, it is now newsworthy if a government programme is successfully implemented without corruption.  How can that be right?  Hospitals don’t have medicine and our people are dying needlessly because of corruption.  Is that the sort of country we want to live in? Certainly not.” the Colonel said emphatically.

As the interview progressed, it however became clear that the Colonel’s personal circumstances in the UPDF may have influenced his views.  For example, he complained bitterly about tribalism and favouritism with regard to promotions in the UPDF.

“…UNLA was dominated by northerners.  That is not debatable.  But the same can also be said about our UPDF today.  Nearly all our top Generals are from one ethnic region.  Some of us have been Colonels for nearly ten years.  Young kids come and pass us in rank and there is nothing we can do about it.  Is that fair?  No, no, no!  Something has to be done.” the aggrieved officer said as he excused himself and ended the interview.

Army Spokesman Colonel Felix Kulaiygye has in the past dismissed all such claims of favouritism in the UPDF.  He has always maintained army promotions are based on training, discipline, and length of service among other things. END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.