Mbabazi is victim of political a witch-hunt

Oct 10, 2011

Being security minister at the time of CHOGM, Mbabazi acted in national interest to save the country any security sabotage and embarrassment.

By Robert Mugumya

I find MPs’ call for the arrest and prosecution of Amama Mbabazi not only wanting but also full of sophistry. Allegations against Mbabazi in CHOGM are not about money loss. No CHOGM report is implicating him for financial loss. The report talks about his “hidden interests.” 

Being security minister at the time of CHOGM, Mbabazi acted in national interest to save the country any security sabotage and embarrassment. 

Without reliable modern communication technology equipment supplied by a competent firm like TETRA communication system, terrorists could have easily jammed up “feeble” communication installations. 

This would have compromised our national security, and hence endangering life of the visiting Queen and heads of government! 

Secondly, Balton(U) ltd is a reputable Israeli company dealing in modern communication equipment in Uganda. Its subsidiary TETRA Communication system is one of the most reliable companies dealing in sophisticated communication supplies in Israel. 

The question about Mbabazi’s action in the whole deal should be whether there was value for money or not. Or was there any falsification and misleading accounts by Balton(U) ltd, a company awarded the $5m deal. 

If there was proper accountability and value for money, with no transaction fraud, then Mbabazi is a victim of political witch-hunt. 

Although he could have deviated from policies due to time factor, Mbabazi maintained national security strategies that made CHOGM both a peaceful and successful occasion.

Finally, Mbabazi, then as security minister, should instead be credited for his excellent risk management skills whereby CHOGM event passed without any security mishaps. 

 

The writer is a human rights defender, researcher and patriot
 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});