Mutale Warns On UNCCI Wrangle

SPECIAL presidential advisor on political affairs Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale yesterday said he would intervene in the wrangles in the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI), reports Emmy Olaki and Hillary Kiirya. “The chamber comprises respectable people in society who shouldn’t be in wrangles. You think by being President of the chamber there is special eating? If there was, then we would all be anxious to head it,” Mutale said at a seminar for district private sector chairmen at the (UNCCI) offices on Johnstone Street in Kampala. Mutale said he would not allow characters like Hajji Mutwalib Tezikuba and Masaba to blackmail members of the chamber. “They had even been dismissed from the chamber and I pleaded for their re-acceptance and now they have turned against us,” he said. “How can they drag us to court. Who are they to take us to court. If they are tired of the chamber, let them resign and go to do other things. Were you born to be chairman? I am not happy with this court thing,” Mutale said. Tezikuba lost the elections for the chamber presidency in 1997 to Bonny Katatumba and dragged the chamber to court in 1997, saying the elections were not free and fair. Justice Tabaro in June this year ruled in favour of Tezikuba, saying the elections should be held in accordance with the UNCCI constitution of 1996. “Court should not meddle in our business. I propose that the Office of the President, my office, the NRM Secretariat and UNCCI should see the Attorney General and find ways of quietly handling this matter,” Mutale said. Ends