By John Stephen Katende

25^th Oct 2010

UPDF foot soldiers at a typical army detach

A serving UPDF General has become the first senior military officer in this election campaign season to declare that he will salute whoever wins.

The officer, a Major General by rank, made his declaration on condition of strict anonymity in an exclusive interview with Uganda Correspondent at Nile Resort Hotel in Jinja on Saturday 23^rd.

“I am a professional soldier.  I would therefore have no problem saluting Besigye, Mao, Otunnu or Museveni if any of them wins the presidency freely and fairly.  It would be wrong to do otherwise because it subverts the will of the people and I am not prepared to that”, the General said calmly.  In fact, not only did he declare his own principled stand with regard to the 2011 elections, the General went further and urged all his UPDF comrades to emulate him by remaining professional during and after the elections.

“I would urge all my comrades to remain professional soldiers at this very divisive time.  A professional soldier salutes the constitution of the Republic of Uganda.  So whoever wins lawfully as required by that constitution should be saluted by all officers and men”, the General advised.

He also said as an institution, the UPDF should be prepared to not only salute the winner, but to protect his victory too.  “…As as institution, we must rise above the cult of personalities if we want to contribute to our democracy and political stability.  That means not only saluting the victor but offering to guard his victory should anyone try to take it away from him”, the General said.

The army, he said, is not made up of robots but ordinary human beings who, like their civilian counterparts, have preferences and loved ones to worry about.  “…We are not robots.  We have preferences and loved ones to look after.  So whoever promises to take care of our interests better should get our overwhelming vote as an institution”, the General said.

The overriding concern of the army right now, he said, is the deplorable welfare of the hardworking foot soldiers.  He also said no soldier would want to go to war if he can help it.

“…No soldier wants to fight unnecessary wars.  For nearly 25yrs, our foot soldiers have lived like animals and sometimes fought needless wars.  I can tell you as a commander that they are not happy about it.  It is therefore in their interest to think very carefully before they cast their vote for any presidential candidate”, said the General.

Asked why he invited Uganda Correspondent to a quiet hotel and then asked to remain anonymous instead of speaking out openly, the General said he chose that option “…in the interest of discipline and self preservation”. He said he wouldn’t want to find himself “…in the position that Mande found himself in during the 2001 elections”.

In 2001, Col. Samson Mande was arrested as soon as he said he would look at both Dr. Besigye’s and Museveni’s programmes for Uganda before he makes up his mind on who to vote for.  At the time, Col. Samson Mande said the government quickly interpreted his indecision to mean quiet support for Dr. Besigye’s candidature.

This Major General refused to say whether or not he would vote for his Commander-in-Chief President Museveni.  “…I am still undecided.  But even if I had made up my mind, I wouldn’t tell you.  That is between me and God”, he said amidst prolonged laughter.  END.  If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent.  Never miss out again!