Hundreds welcome gen saleh

By Grace Matsiko HUNDREDS of people thronged Entebbe International Airport yesterday to welcome home Lt. Gen. Salim Saleh a.k.a. Caleb Akandwanaho who was rumoured dead after four-months stay in Europe.The convoy of over 200 vehicles disrupted business and traffic on the 32km-stretch from Entebbe to his residence in Upper Mbuya, a posh Kampala suburb.They chanted his praises while some carried placards reading: “Welcome home, Salim Saleh, man of the people, Long Live Our Hero.”Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) guards, notably his nephew, Capt. Kainerugaba Muhoozi, tightened security at the airport and his residence.His wife Jovia, the Minister for the Presidency, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, Entebbe Mayor Stephen Kabuye and MPs hugged Saleh on arrival. The PPU provided three minibuses and two Jeeps. Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) and Citizens Concerned provided about 150 taxis, trucks, Coasters and minibuses to ferry supporters. There were also donations of fuel, posters and T-shirts. Dozens of bodaboda cycles graced the occasion. There were also dozens of saloon cars, bringing business to a virtual standstill on Entebbe - Kampala road.On seeing journalists crammed in the lounge, Salim Saleh said in Luganda, “Omuntu afudde tasobola kwogera (a dead man cannot talk).” Saleh is an army MP. At his residence, his fans sang, screamed, drummed and chanted his greatness. Some wept. They asked him to remove his dark glasses but he told them he did not want to expose his tears.Flanked by Jovia, Saleh said, “However much one hates you, he can’t declare you dead. “I am here. May be God wanted me to tell you this message: Have a heart to forgive those who hate you. “Those saying we should sue those who announced me dead, it doesn’t work (that way).” Saleh said he was forced to return home from “hawking coffee abroad” on the request of Jovia because his anxious supporters wanted to see him. “I have now known the life of a hawker. It is not easy to convince people to buy. I was forced to come empty handed,” he said. At this point, the supporters shouted in chorus, “Abbewo, Abbewo 2006 (Long live, Long live).”But Saleh said he will not contest for the 2006 presidential elections.“Sagala munyingizze mupokopoko (I don’t want you to drag me into politics),” he said. “I have been given one Police vehicle,” he said pointing at a PPU vehicle. “I don’t want a second one.”He showed the gathering his left hand which was operated on in Europe.He promised his supporters sources of income. He described his residence as a safe haven from MPs.Saleh left for Germany last December for surgery to adjust a bone in his left hand which was shot during the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war which lasted from 1981 to January 26, 1986.The hand was operated on last September in a Kampala hospital. He moved to the UK from Germany.Early last month, rumours hit Kampala that Salim Saleh had died. A number of radio stations in western uganda and in Kampala reported that the General had died.But Saleh called from London to refute the rumours.Citizens Concerned, a group sympathetic to him, raised money to cater for festivities to welcome him. Last evening, his supporters were scheduled to have a party at his residence. Saleh is commander of the Reserve Force.