MP raps Kaihura on army role

Jun 15, 2004

KIBALE county MP Capt. Charles Byaruhanga has advised the UPDF chief political commissar, Brig. Kale Kaihura, to resign from the Army

By Mary Karugaba

KIBALE county MP Capt. Charles Byaruhanga has advised the UPDF chief political commissar, Brig. Kale Kaihura, to resign from the Army if he wants to involve himself in the politics of the nation.

Byaruhanga was yesterday reacting to Kaihura’s comments reported in The New Vision of Monday that banning the army from active politics was not in national interest and might be a recipe for disaster.
“I doubt whether Kaihura is serious about what he saying. He is just being historical. He should by now be able to know that things are changing from the Movement type of government to multiparty politics.
Which party does he think the Army will fall?” he asked.

Kaihura reportedly said the army felt oppressed and that its participation in politics was still needed to guard the nation from bad elements.

Byaruhanga said Kaihura’s comments were not genuine given the fact that the country was moving towards partisan politics.
“A professional army need not to take sides and get all that involved in politics. It should be neutral and defend any president of any party that wins. Its involvement will not only create chaos but also empathy,” he said.
Patrick Amuriat (Kumi) supported him.

However, Army MP Lt Col. Phinehas Katirima supported Kaihura’s comments, saying they should be debated.

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