Vituko Mitaani

Controversial army general Kasirye Ggwanga has warned President Museveni against touting the idea of his son, Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, succeeding him as president, saying such a move would be met with stiff resistance from the military.

Brig. Ggwanga, a senior presidential adviser on security in Buganda, who had called the Daily Monitor yesterday to respond to recent reports of massive desertions in the army, said the idea of pushing Brig. Muhoozi to replace President Museveni would cause instability in the country.

“Succession talk is useless and the moment he comes up with his son as a successor, he has got problems with Kasirye Ggwanga. (There should be) no civilian politics in the army. Don’t underestimate us, otherwise you are playing with fire,” Brig. Ggwanga said.

Asked to explain further, Brig. Ggwanga said: “But who is succeeding who? Whom did Gen. Museveni succeed? He came fighting! We were all fighting. I am 60 years old and we have seen it all!”

He added: “Let me warn that boy (Brig. Muhoozi), not even to think of taking over Uganda. Uganda will take care of itself.” Mr Museveni has not publicly said he wants his son, who commands the elite Special Forces Command, to succeed him as President. However, Brig Muhoozi’s meteoric rise to the top of the army leadership in 15 years has been the subject of debate.

In a recent article, opposition leader and ex-Museveni physician, Kizza Besigye, reopened debate on the matter when he questioned the motive of Muhoozi’s accelerated rise. A Daily Monitor survey found out that most officers had spent more than 20 years to attain the rank Muhoozi attained in about 12 years.

But President Museveni defended his son’s right to join the army, saying it was a sacrifice but also raised the profile of the UPDF since it would encourage youthful professionals to join the Forces.

Sought for comment yesterday, the President’s spokesperson, Mr Tamale Mirundi, said nothing barred the First Son from running for the highest office provided he played by the rules.

“There is no constitutional provision that bars sons and daughters of presidents from contesting for presidency. Museveni cannot impose Muhoozi on the country. There is total democracy in Uganda and under NRM, a leader is elected.”

Mr Mirundi added: “Muhoozi has to work very hard and be elected by NRM after resigning from the army. He could also choose to form his own party. He can’t stage a coup.”

Mr Mirundi said since Brig. Ggwanga had resigned from the army, his views were largely personal and not a reflection of the institution’s thinking.
On reports that the army had been hit by desertions, Brig, Ggwanga said the problem could be a result of sidelining soldiers who have served in the military for long. He also attributed the desertions to poor pay, saying soldiers’ welfare was wanting.

“We are just fed up. We love our President but we don’t know what is going on. We are so hard up, including us, senior officers and it is very unfair. We are military guys who don’t have any businesses like them, we are so broke!” he said. He questioned why government has not increased the salaries of the soldiers, saying the army is a sensitive component of the state and its welfare should not be neglected.

rwanambwa@ug.nationmedia.com