Museveni hails slain General

By Hellen Mukiibi, Steven Candia and Conan Businge

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday hailed his slain former army commander but also cautioned against living recklessly.

Speaking during a funeral service at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala, Museveni described Maj. Gen. James Kazini as a patriot and a loyal officer.

“He was better than hypocrites. At least for him, he would be drunk on alcohol, rather than hypocrites who are drunk with evil.”

The President commended Kazini for being solely responsible for the development of the country’s tank battalion.

Although Kazini was on suspension over a number of accusations, the Government and the UPDF still had confidence in him, the President revealed, adding that he was sent on two military courses abroad.

Museveni, however, noted with regret that the UPDF had lost many top officers due to reckless lifestyles.

Out of the 10 commanders with whom he captured Kampala in 1986, only two were still alive, he said, naming the survivors as Lt. General Ivan Koreta and Brigadier (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza.

Discipline within the UPDF must be made an integral part of the struggle, he stressed.

There was a tinge of disappointment in his voice when he noted: “Now this one has gone and has brought a gap in the family and in the institution.”

On the circumstances of his death, Museveni said the Police was probing whether it was premeditated murder or an accident.

“If the Police do proper investigations, they should easily establish whether the murder was due to an accident or deliberate.”

The President pledged to look after Kazini’s family. “The NRM government and UPDF will look after the children and the widow.”

Kazini’s sister, Naome Kato, said at a later stage Kazini was “not a man in control but still needed a second chance, which he missed.”

Many speakers spoke highly of Kazini. The congregation was moved to tears when his 12-year-old daughter, Liza, paid tribute to him.

She said she was looking forward to the holidays when she would be with her dad and visit Kasese, to see the hotel, and Mbarara, to see the cows.

“Dad was a loving father, a friend, a smart and intelligent man. Dad, it is so sad that you have left us. We loved you and still love you, wherever you are. We know you have gone forever, but we still love you the same way.”

She asked her mother to take heart and not to cry, pointing out that she was all they were left with.

Ambassador Kyaligonza, in a statement from Bujumbura, described Kazini’s death as “hopeless and cowardly”. Gen. Elly Tumwine, a member of the UPDF High Command, praised Kazini for his fearlessness and commitment.

“He put his life on the line and was unreservedly ready for deployment at any time. He ruthlessly executed tough assignments without hesitation.”

The cathedral was filled to the brim. Several politicians, UPDF, Police and intelligence officers attended.

Bishop Zac Niringiye summed up Kazini’s life as both a gift and parable. “Kazini’s life was so intricately interwoven and his death had shocked the entire nation.” He added that Kazini’s death was a wake-up call for the Government to address the weaknesses in its institutions.

At one point, the bishop challenged the congregation by asking who had never sinned. No hand went up. “Maama Phoebe and the children, dad was not the only sinner. The difference here is that his sins are in the media. Everyone has cobwebs and has a duty to clean them,” the bishop said.