Opposition split over Sejusa

By Nicholas Wassajja

OPPOSITION parties have differed on whether former intelligence chief Gen. David Sejusa should take an active role in partisan politics while still a serving army officer ahead of the 2016 polls.

The renegade general has made successful strides toward meeting officials in political parties to discuss issues of governance except for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) the major opposition party.

Addressing journalists on Monday, FDC spokesman John Kikonyogo revealed that they had officially indicated that they will not politically collaborate with Sejusa before he is discharged from army.

In a copy of a letter seen by the New Vision, FDC said that, “we will not have any political collaboration with you or your organization until your discharge from the army is effected.”

Kikonyogo who had earlier indicated that they will offer support to Sejusa to ensure that he is discharged also highlighted that the party position doesn’t curtail members from interacting with the general at an individual level.

Sejusa has met leaders of DP, UPC, JEEMA and PPP and they have publically expressed willingness to work with him ahead of the 2016 polls.

However, JEEMA president Asuman Basalirwa told New Vision that, Sejusa or any other serving officer has a right to express their opinions about governance issues.

“Anyone can discuss what affects the country regardless of their positions and parties should embrace this. For instance Sejusa isn’t making political alliances but rather capacity building to save the nation,” Basalirwa explained.

Sejusa who recently in a letter appealed to the FDC to assist him push for his discharge has emphasized that rejecting to work with him on grounds of his retirement from the army is working for the oppressor.

The UPC spokesman, Okello Lucima argued that although the FDC poses a legitimate question on who should engage in partisan politics, saving Uganda by agitating for regime change is a much bigger picture that all patriotic citizens should rise up to champion.

Article 208 (1) of the constitution provides that the national army shall be non-partisan and subordinate to the civilian authority and section 99 of the UPDF Act, 2005 bars a serving army officer from seeking a political appointment.

Lucima added that, “we are open to all democratic forces for change and this should be a call to all Ugandans including FDC to embrace the agenda without much strings attached.”

The developments come three weeks after Sejusa told journalists that President Museveni had certified his retirement from the army.

The army’s commissions and promotions board is responsible for retiring persons serving in the army according to the UPDF Act of 2005.

Democratic Party spokesperson Fred Mwesigwa said if the opposition unites to oust the NRM regime, the importance of looking at what individuals and other forces have to offer in the cause needs to be underscored rather than their positions in institutions.