Saleh quits parliament
ARMY representative in Parliament Lt. Gen Salim Saleh has resigned over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
By Felix Osike
ARMY representative in Parliament Lt. Gen Salim Saleh has resigned over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
He is joining a community-based organisation which he has not disclosed yet.
In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, dated November 27, Saleh listed three reasons for quitting.
“My first reason is the unending allegations of corruption and abuse of office, which have ranged from the bungled helicopter purchase, my role in the privatisation of former Uganda Commercial Bank to last year’s allegations of plundering Congo’s natural resources. All these allegations have come and passed but have left me very perturbed.â€
His letter is copied to President Yoweri Museveni, who is the chairman of the UPDF High command. He is the younger brother of President Museveni.
Ssekandi has accepted Saleh’s resignation. “Your past and present involvement in solving many of the problems our country Uganda has faced makes you a great legislator from whom many other Members of Parliament have benefited and would continue to benefit. We shall greatly miss you,†Ssekandi said in a reply dated November 28.
Saleh, who is also the Reserve Force Commander, said what disturbed him in the current situation about the helicopter scandal was that a case could be brought before Parliament with possible criminal charges even before the Director of Public Prosecutions concluded investigations.
“I construe this as political injustice and a bad motive whose intention can only be to embarrass my dear institution (constituents) and me.
Such an action is meant to bring me into disrepute as an army Member of Parliament and the institution that I represent,†Saleh said.
His resignation comes a a month after state minister for defence Ruth Nankabirwa tabled before Parliament the damning report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the purchase of the junk helicopters.
The commission was chaired by Lady Justice Julia Sebutinde. The report called for the prosecution of Saleh, other army officers, Bank of Uganda and the finance ministry officials for causing financial loss to the Government estimated at US$7m (sh16b).
The UN panel of experts report on the DR Congo also said Saleh was involved in illegal deals. Saleh said his continued stay and incessant heckling by other MPs would bring discomfort to the people he represents who highly respect him.
“I would rather step aside until these allegations are proved or disproved than hold onto a seat in Parliament. I also hope that all this comes to a decisive end sooner rather than later.â€
He said as a humble soldier he had tried to understand the language and the dynamics that work on the floor of Parliament, but failed to comprehend them.
“Straight and polite talk is regarded as a weakness, yet aggressive, devious and hypocritical talk is regarded as heroic and applauded.
Heckling, foot-stamping and laughing takes most of the time,†he noted. He said in the army, which he had worked for the last 27 years, simplicity, humility and constructive criticism are virtues that are a must. “On the very few occasions I have attended an open session of Parliament, I get a headache. This is pain I would like to avoid.â€
Saleh would take take up a post in a community-based organisation. “That is where I would like to dedicate my mind and spirit. I look forward to finding a suitable replacement,†he said.
ARMY representative in Parliament Lt. Gen Salim Saleh has resigned over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
He is joining a community-based organisation which he has not disclosed yet.
In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, dated November 27, Saleh listed three reasons for quitting.
“My first reason is the unending allegations of corruption and abuse of office, which have ranged from the bungled helicopter purchase, my role in the privatisation of former Uganda Commercial Bank to last year’s allegations of plundering Congo’s natural resources. All these allegations have come and passed but have left me very perturbed.â€
His letter is copied to President Yoweri Museveni, who is the chairman of the UPDF High command. He is the younger brother of President Museveni.
Ssekandi has accepted Saleh’s resignation. “Your past and present involvement in solving many of the problems our country Uganda has faced makes you a great legislator from whom many other Members of Parliament have benefited and would continue to benefit. We shall greatly miss you,†Ssekandi said in a reply dated November 28.
Saleh, who is also the Reserve Force Commander, said what disturbed him in the current situation about the helicopter scandal was that a case could be brought before Parliament with possible criminal charges even before the Director of Public Prosecutions concluded investigations.
“I construe this as political injustice and a bad motive whose intention can only be to embarrass my dear institution (constituents) and me.
Such an action is meant to bring me into disrepute as an army Member of Parliament and the institution that I represent,†Saleh said.
His resignation comes a a month after state minister for defence Ruth Nankabirwa tabled before Parliament the damning report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the purchase of the junk helicopters.
The commission was chaired by Lady Justice Julia Sebutinde. The report called for the prosecution of Saleh, other army officers, Bank of Uganda and the finance ministry officials for causing financial loss to the Government estimated at US$7m (sh16b).
The UN panel of experts report on the DR Congo also said Saleh was involved in illegal deals. Saleh said his continued stay and incessant heckling by other MPs would bring discomfort to the people he represents who highly respect him.
“I would rather step aside until these allegations are proved or disproved than hold onto a seat in Parliament. I also hope that all this comes to a decisive end sooner rather than later.â€
He said as a humble soldier he had tried to understand the language and the dynamics that work on the floor of Parliament, but failed to comprehend them.
“Straight and polite talk is regarded as a weakness, yet aggressive, devious and hypocritical talk is regarded as heroic and applauded.
Heckling, foot-stamping and laughing takes most of the time,†he noted. He said in the army, which he had worked for the last 27 years, simplicity, humility and constructive criticism are virtues that are a must. “On the very few occasions I have attended an open session of Parliament, I get a headache. This is pain I would like to avoid.â€
Saleh would take take up a post in a community-based organisation. “That is where I would like to dedicate my mind and spirit. I look forward to finding a suitable replacement,†he said.