Uganda has stationed police and military officers at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport in anticipation of David Sejusa, a military general who made allegations about a secret plot of nepotism and assassinations.
Sejusa wrote a letter to the internal security service in April, calling for an investigation into allegations that high-ranking officials could be assassinated.
The top general sparked chaos last week when he issued a statement, in which he warned that senior army officers and leaders opposed to President Yoweri Museveni’s son being groomed to become the next president would be assassinated by the state.
We are waiting for him. We are not intimidating him. But he has to come back!
Sejusa claims Museveni wants his son to succeed him as president, and any opposition from high –ranking officials will be addressed by assassination.
The president’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba was promoted to the rank of brigadier last year, despite relative inexperience and he reportedly commands a crack unit that is responsible for Museveni’s security.
After issuing the statement, Sejusa traveled out of the country, but some of his close lieutenants were reportedly arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup.
Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the Ugandan army spokesman, said four of Sejusa’s aides are now in police custody in relation to questions about Museveni’s succession plans.
Sejusa who is expected back from a trip to London, cited himself and the country’s prime minister among those in danger.
Ugandan opposition parties have questioned Kainerugaba’s promotion, arguing that his rise had been meteoric, considering that he had been in the military for less than 20 years, a pre-requisite before someone is appointed as brigadier.
Ugandan lawmakers have embarked on investigations because they believe Sejusa knows what he’s talking about.
However, some Museveni allies have interpreted Sejusa’s claims as a ploy to create a storm in order to seek power himself.
But the monitor newspaper on Monday quoted one of the country’s top opposition politicians, Kizza Besigye as saying, “Punishing Sejusa or others opposed to Uganda monarchy project will not solve the problem”.
Ugandan army has said Sejusa was out of order, accusing him of spreading propaganda that undermines unity in the military.
On Thursday evening, Uganda’s Defence minister, Crispus Kiyonga denied the existence of the crack unit that Kainerugaba is said to lead.
“The president is taking measures to respond to the ongoing indiscipline within the army,” Kiyonga said.
He said all the allegations were false and baseless and required no cause for an alarm in the public.
“The army is cohesive, united and under effective command and control. The population and leaders should remain assured that the country is safe and stable,” Kiyonga said.
Kiyonga’s response came following demands by legislators that the government should explain the current bickering within the army.
Presidential ambitions
Sejusa and his aides are accused of an alleged breach of an official code of conduct, a spokesman for the military said Monday, the latest twist in the unfolding saga of a senior army officer.
“We are waiting for him. We are not intimidating him. But he has to come back, especially if he thinks he has no case to answer,” Ankunda told reporters at the Uganda international airport.
Sejusa was originally scheduled to return on the weekend.
Joseph Luzige, a lawyer for Sejusa, said his client could be arrested on arrival and has told the general to “prepare for anything”.
Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the top commander of the Ugandan military, said Sejusa’s leaked letter to the internal security service promotes the “agenda of the radical and anarchic political opposition”.
Frank Tumwebaze, a government minister said in a letter published in the local Observer newspaper Sunday that Sejusa has “clear presidential ambitions” and wants “to create a false wave on whose crest he intends to ride” to the presidency.
Sejusa who is accused by some of harboring presidential ambitions, is a decorated hero of the bush war that brought Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, to power almost three decades ago.
“With the international community standing on the side of political dissent, who would dare touch a presidential candidate? This is a trend so ugly that comrades of our political generation must shun and despise.
“To oppose Museveni or the [ruling party], one need not first allege how he or she is being targeted for murder when it is a known fact that the [ruling party] does not eliminate opponents,” Tumwebaze wrote.
Sejusa sits on the army’s high command and directs the country’s foreign and domestic intelligence services.
Sejusa is also a qualified lawyer who represents the military in the country’s parliament.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Minister of Information, Mary Karooro has warned the media against sensationalising the saga surrounding the general.
This follows reports that some media houses, especially radios were mobilising people to go in big numbers to the airport to welcome him back from UK.
Source: The Africa Report
