When Museveni, Besigye, Mbabazi clashed over army helicopters

Besigye and his Reform Agenda were opposed to the Ministry of Defence probe, chaired by Lt Col Aronda Nyakairima, which was investigating the matter internally, saying, “We have absolutely no confidence in any internal inquiry in the ministry of defence because the matter involves the minister himself [Museveni], who is the president, and other very high-ranking officers.” In his testimony and defence, Museveni wondered, saying, “Now when you hear people going around with this letter saying that it is Museveni who directed us... Directed you to do what? Have you heard me saying you buy un-overhauled helicopters? I did not say buy un-overhauled helicopters.”

Museveni (C) dismissed Besigye’s (R) claim that his letter of October 24, 1996 directed Mbabazi (L), Muntu and Masaba to specifically purchase the helicopters offered by CSC.