FDC queries Sejusa''s retirement claims

Apr 20, 2015

Without evidence, Gen David Sejusa may find it so hard to convince the main opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) that President Yoweri Museveni recently retired him from the army so as to take part in active politics.

By Umaru Kashaka   

Without evidence, Gen David Sejusa may find it so hard to convince the main opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) that President Yoweri Museveni recently retired him from the army so as to take part in active politics.


FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo told journalists at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Monday that under the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Act 2005, it's the Force's commissions and promotions board responsible for retiring Sejusa and not President Museveni.

This comes just a few weeks after the former coordinator of intelligence services told journalists that President Museveni had sent him somebody with a written document certifying his retirement from the army.

However, without showing the media evidence — official retirement certificate — Sejusa added that the President had instructed the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Katumba Wamala to do the necessary formalities of officially retiring him.

"We are not sure about Sejusa's retirement because he (Sejusa) said he was released from the army, but we heard that the Chief of Defence Forces was saying he was still a serving military officer. But also according to the law, Museveni is not the one to retire officers; it's the army's commissions and promotions board," Kikonyogo noted.

The retirement process in the UPDF is that an officer or militant writes to UPDF commissions board, stating reasons for retirement or resignation.

The reason can be age, health or interest to join partisan politics.

The commissions board is chaired by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Katumba Wamala and it has to write back to the officer or militant within 90 days to communicate approval or refusal to the application.

"Sejusa has written a letter requesting for a meeting with us. Our secretary general (SG) has written back to him, but it's not fair for me now to start divulging the contents of the two letters because it's (the issue) is still between the SG and Sejusa and even I don't know whether our letter has reached him or not," Kikonyogo stated.

He said although they welcome anybody interested in bringing change in the country to join them as they prepare to defeat the ruling NRM party in the forthcoming general elections, their position on working with Sejusa was that he first leaves the army before he can think of becoming their ally.

"We are going to help Sejusa leave the army because you cannot engage in partisan politics when you are still a serving military officer," he explained.

Under Uganda's electoral laws, serving army soldiers are prohibited from engaging in partisan politics unless they have been discharged from the military.

Last week, the Democratic Party publicly expressed their readiness to work with Sejusa to cause change in the country.
This was during their weekly press conference at DP headquarters in Kampala.

Sejusa used the occasion to ask the opposition leaders to identify the nature of their struggle if they want to bring about change in the country.
Reacting to Kikonyogo's remarks, Sejusa asked in a phone interview with New Vision "what is the mission of FDC?"

"To defeat Museveni or massage him? Personally it's of no consequence whether I'm retired or not. Because either way, I'm ready to work with all to cause a revolution," he said.

He added: "Those who do not read the signs will be left by the wayside. Its people who will ultimately lead the way and if I'm on side of the people then who will not work with me? It's a matter of time, but I'm happy with the work they are doing."

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