Tinyefuza apologises to Museveni
Dec 05, 2004
LT. Gen David Tinyefuza has apologised to President Yoweri Museveni for suing the army in 1997, following his unsuccessful resignation.
By Enock Kakande
and Felix Osike
LT. Gen David Tinyefuza has apologised to President Yoweri Museveni for suing the army in 1997, following his unsuccessful resignation.
He also said he was sorry for pushing for the restoration of the Obugabe (Ankole kingship) prematurely.
“Mzee (Museveni), forgive me because I got advice from some people. It was as if I was possessed because I received advice from some circles but I later woke up to my senses and made a turn-around. I’m prepared to work with you even more,†Tinyefuza said in a public apology at Emmanuel Cathedral Rushere, Mbarara over the weekend.
The President was among guests at the wedding of Tinyefuza’s daughter, Sharon Nankunda to Dr. Frank Asiimwe Rubabinga, a surgeon at Mulago Hospital. Bishop James Muhanguzi of North Ankole Diocese administered the marriage vows.
Speaking in Runyankore, Tinyefuza said, “It is God who has helped me all through these problems. Your Excellency, I apologise for all the mis
takes. In the army, when a commander-in-chief asks you to wait, you should wait. These were issues which should have been resolved amicably instead of going to court or any other means. I do not know how the court issue came about, neither the restoration of Obugabe issue. God has protected me through hard times and I thank Him.
“Everyone here, please, join me to thank the President for forgiving me, because he accepted my apology,†said Tinyefuza, drawing applause from all corners of the cathedral.
Museveni said, “I heard rumours that Tinyefuza was getting bad advice form a section of people. But I ignored it all. I thank Tinyefuza for working towards the process of the Movement and many other struggles, which all people are aware of right from the bush days.â€
Tinyefuza resigned from the army in 1996, citing harassment by its leaders following his testimony to a parliamentary committee that was investigating the causes of the northern Uganda insurgency.
Tinyefuza said the army leaders were corrupt and inefficient, adding that these were the reasons the insurgency could not end.
His resignation was rejected by the President, who said it did not comply with the army’s conditions of service.
He petitioned the Constitutional Court in 1997, claiming he had ceased to be a soldier when he was appointed a presidential advisor on military affairs in 1993. He won the case, but the State appealed to the Supreme Court, which declared in 1998 that he was still in the UPDF.
Museveni praised the youth for rejecting Western culture that encouraged staying single for long and advised them to marry as soon they left school to avoid AIDS.
Before going to Rushere, Museveni attended the wedding of justice and constitutional affairs minister Janat Mukwaya’s daughter, Sarah Bukirwa to Hashim Ssembogo at Kibuli Mosque. Museveni thanked Janat and Hajji Abbey Mukwaya for their contribution to the struggle that brought the Movement to power.
He said the growing committment of the youth to marriage was a sign that Ugandans were using the prevailing peace to restore discipline and order in their families.
Earlier, the President was the chief guest at the wedding of Sophie Nambi, the daughter of his chief pilot Brig. Ali Kiiza, to Kevin Frank at Rubaga Cathedral.
By press time, the President was due to attend the wedding of Kalungu East MP Umar Lule.
Ends
and Felix Osike
LT. Gen David Tinyefuza has apologised to President Yoweri Museveni for suing the army in 1997, following his unsuccessful resignation.
He also said he was sorry for pushing for the restoration of the Obugabe (Ankole kingship) prematurely.
“Mzee (Museveni), forgive me because I got advice from some people. It was as if I was possessed because I received advice from some circles but I later woke up to my senses and made a turn-around. I’m prepared to work with you even more,†Tinyefuza said in a public apology at Emmanuel Cathedral Rushere, Mbarara over the weekend.
The President was among guests at the wedding of Tinyefuza’s daughter, Sharon Nankunda to Dr. Frank Asiimwe Rubabinga, a surgeon at Mulago Hospital. Bishop James Muhanguzi of North Ankole Diocese administered the marriage vows.
Speaking in Runyankore, Tinyefuza said, “It is God who has helped me all through these problems. Your Excellency, I apologise for all the mis
takes. In the army, when a commander-in-chief asks you to wait, you should wait. These were issues which should have been resolved amicably instead of going to court or any other means. I do not know how the court issue came about, neither the restoration of Obugabe issue. God has protected me through hard times and I thank Him.
“Everyone here, please, join me to thank the President for forgiving me, because he accepted my apology,†said Tinyefuza, drawing applause from all corners of the cathedral.
Museveni said, “I heard rumours that Tinyefuza was getting bad advice form a section of people. But I ignored it all. I thank Tinyefuza for working towards the process of the Movement and many other struggles, which all people are aware of right from the bush days.â€
Tinyefuza resigned from the army in 1996, citing harassment by its leaders following his testimony to a parliamentary committee that was investigating the causes of the northern Uganda insurgency.
Tinyefuza said the army leaders were corrupt and inefficient, adding that these were the reasons the insurgency could not end.
His resignation was rejected by the President, who said it did not comply with the army’s conditions of service.
He petitioned the Constitutional Court in 1997, claiming he had ceased to be a soldier when he was appointed a presidential advisor on military affairs in 1993. He won the case, but the State appealed to the Supreme Court, which declared in 1998 that he was still in the UPDF.
Museveni praised the youth for rejecting Western culture that encouraged staying single for long and advised them to marry as soon they left school to avoid AIDS.
Before going to Rushere, Museveni attended the wedding of justice and constitutional affairs minister Janat Mukwaya’s daughter, Sarah Bukirwa to Hashim Ssembogo at Kibuli Mosque. Museveni thanked Janat and Hajji Abbey Mukwaya for their contribution to the struggle that brought the Movement to power.
He said the growing committment of the youth to marriage was a sign that Ugandans were using the prevailing peace to restore discipline and order in their families.
Earlier, the President was the chief guest at the wedding of Sophie Nambi, the daughter of his chief pilot Brig. Ali Kiiza, to Kevin Frank at Rubaga Cathedral.
By press time, the President was due to attend the wedding of Kalungu East MP Umar Lule.
Ends