Museveni Raps Police

IGP must act on violence reports By Alfred Wasike PRESIDENT Museveni has threatened to sack the Inspector General of Police, John Kisembo, over reports that the Force ignored reports of election campaign violence nation-wide. Addressing the nation during the National Resistance Movement's 15th victory anniversary celebrations at Kololo Airstrip yesterday, Museveni said, "This is not a request. You are required to uphold the electoral law. This is your work. Even Kasujja's people should make sure that no one violates the law." Aziz Kasujja chairs the Electoral Commission. Museveni also directed the Police to enforce the Presidential Elections Act 2000 to control pre-election violence and electoral malpractices in the run-up to the March 6 polls. The warning follows persistent reports about violence between supporters of various candidates throughout the country. Museveni said, "The other day I was in Rukungiri, I was told that Besigye had confused a small group of small boys who were in turn breaking the law. I called the DPC. He told me he was sending communications to his boss in Kampala. I ordered him to give my RDC copies of the communications. "I warned that I will do your work for you by sacking you. But before I do that I will sack your boss here (pointing towards where Kisembo was sitting). This is the chance to prove that you are good." The huge audience chanted, "No change. Museveni our man." The supporters had earlier paralysed the parade for more than 15 minutes as they marched past Museveni. Workers from several companies marched past Museveni exhibiting their products. Waving a copy of the presidential elections Act, Museveni said, "Returning officers playing monkey tricks are warned that we shall play tricks on them too. There is a three-year jail term, if you bribe, threaten violence, tear posters and other offences." He said the law prohibits candidates from getting money from foreign governments, institutions or individuals hostile to Uganda. "(Aggrey) Awori went to see the late President Kabila. It was not a good idea but we kept quiet. I want everybody to follow the electoral law because we changed it to make elections free and fair," Museveni said. He called on Ugandans to vote carefully. He said, "Don't be like Esau in the Bible who sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for a morsel of food. Don't exchange your votes for just salt and sugar. The Movement has brought you real inheritance in terms of a functional economy and other developments you should guard jealously." Museveni said the Movement had rebuilt the pillars of State, especially the army. "I warn those who are talking loosely about the army. I'm the one who built this army. No body can use the UPDF against Uganda," he said. He said though some problems still exist, the army is not neglected. "It is focused. They are our children. Leave them alone. We shall look after them," he said. Museveni said the government had also eradicated dictatorship, increased revenue collection, improved health facilities and the road network and established anti-corruption policies and the UPE. He said two million Ugandans have deformities because they were not immunised by the UPC and other past governments. "We introduced immunisation and created healthy generations of youths," he said. About the DR congo, he said, "Our mission was very successful." He said a notorious ADF commander, Matovu, was killed and another commander, Bwambale, was being hunted. "The ADF is practically defeated," he said He said Kony rebels would be defeated soon. He said he was talking to Sudanese president El Bashir to stop Kony. "If he does not, we shall stop him ourselves," he said. He said he was not a warmonger but a fighter and reconcilliator. "I can be kind. I have allowed rebels to return," he said. He amused the audience when he said, "Today I'm very happy with Mr. Pike's paper (The New Vision) for publishing the achievements of the Movement." Ends