UPDF officer arrested over politicking
Feb 13, 2011
LT. Col. Augustine Anywar, the commander of the UPDF Operation Lightening Thunder in Central African Republic (CAR), has been arrested for using a UPDF vehicle to campaign for a candidate in Amuru district.
By CHRIS OCOWUN
LT. Col. Augustine Anywar, the commander of the UPDF Operation Lightening Thunder in Central African Republic (CAR), has been arrested for using a UPDF vehicle to campaign for a candidate in Amuru district.
According to the UPDF spokesman in Gulu, Capt. Peter Mugisa, Anywar has been under house-arrest in the Gulu 4th Division barracks because he disobeyed the orders given by the division commander, Brig. Charles Otema Awany.
“An order was given to Anywar by the division commander to take back the vehicle he is using in Central African Republic to help the commanders, but he disregarded the order,†Mugisa said.
He added that Anywar used the pick-up truck to ferry people from Bibia to attend rallies.
“He will be under house-arrest for as long as investigations are going on. After getting evidence, we shall take him to the division court martial or if found innocent, he will be released,†Mugisa said.
The northern UPDF spokesperson advised army officers to respect and follow orders given to them by their superiors to avoid being prosecuted.
Mugisa said many civilians complain about some UPDF officers, but fail to turnup to give evidence in court when called upon. He added that the army code of conduct does not allow soldiers to participate in partisan politics.
Sources within the army attributed Anywar’s arrest to exposing the theft of food meant to feed the troops during the war in CAR.
Anywar’s wife said her husband had never campaigned for any candidate in Bibia as alleged by the army.
LT. Col. Augustine Anywar, the commander of the UPDF Operation Lightening Thunder in Central African Republic (CAR), has been arrested for using a UPDF vehicle to campaign for a candidate in Amuru district.
According to the UPDF spokesman in Gulu, Capt. Peter Mugisa, Anywar has been under house-arrest in the Gulu 4th Division barracks because he disobeyed the orders given by the division commander, Brig. Charles Otema Awany.
“An order was given to Anywar by the division commander to take back the vehicle he is using in Central African Republic to help the commanders, but he disregarded the order,†Mugisa said.
He added that Anywar used the pick-up truck to ferry people from Bibia to attend rallies.
“He will be under house-arrest for as long as investigations are going on. After getting evidence, we shall take him to the division court martial or if found innocent, he will be released,†Mugisa said.
The northern UPDF spokesperson advised army officers to respect and follow orders given to them by their superiors to avoid being prosecuted.
Mugisa said many civilians complain about some UPDF officers, but fail to turnup to give evidence in court when called upon. He added that the army code of conduct does not allow soldiers to participate in partisan politics.
Sources within the army attributed Anywar’s arrest to exposing the theft of food meant to feed the troops during the war in CAR.
Anywar’s wife said her husband had never campaigned for any candidate in Bibia as alleged by the army.