The Democratic Party (DP) has reacted to the recent reshuffles that saw several officers who participated in the bush war replaced with what has been termed as the new breed of officers.
Speaking today at a weekly media briefing at their offices, the DP said the reshuffle is a sign of mistrust and panic.
“The recent army reshuffles have raised eyebrows. The President seems to think the country needs new blood in places like the army but excludes himself from letting go. The appointment and promotion of Brig. Peter Elwelu was like a slap in the face to those who think Elwelu is a war criminal deserving trial for crimes against humanity,” said DP spokesperson Kenneth Paul Kakande.
Kakande also took swipe at the reassignment of first son Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as a presidential advisor, saying he is not experienced enough to handle such a portfolio.
“We also note the positioning of his son in an advisory role yet such an advisory role ought to fall to a person with years of experience and a rise on merit based on competence. We wonder whether his son would be where he is if it were not that his father is Commander in Chief. The placing of one region in command positions in this reshuffle also takes away the lie that the initial historical formation of the original NRA was for the most Western dominated and thus their being all over the place. But even the new blood is proving to be favouring the same region with the Elwerus just being used to do the donkey work and dirty jobs.”
In relation to the allegations of favouring one region, Kakande added that tribalism was at its peak again “but this is dangerous to the future stability of this country”.
“We continue to note the manifestation of tribal tendencies in Uganda,” Kakande said, citing names. He singled out for mention Chief Justice Bart Katureebe; Prime Minister Rukahana Rugunda; Attorney General William Byaruhanga, Chief of Defense Forces General David Muhoozi; the Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura), Commissioner General of Prison Services Johnson Byabashaija, the Director of Traffic Police Steven Kasiima; the Governor Bank of Uganda Emmanuel Mutebile and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija.
“There are also so many Directors of Parastatals and junior officers coming from the same region which is deeply troubling. We do think that this is too dangerous to the future stability of this country. What is surprising is that those who point out these sectarian and nepotistic painting are the ones who the tribalists accuse of being tribal. With the outbursts following the murder of Charles Akena and the friction between Akena’s relatives and the Byanyimas, we can say God save Uganda!” Kakande said.
