Dropped minister returns Kyankwanzi uniforms

Former minister of state in the office of Vice President Vincent Nyanzi yesterday returned three army uniforms he received while on NRM Party retreats in Kyankwanzi.

Nyanzi handed the uniforms to the incoming security Minister Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde at office of the President.

"When you are a civilian and you have these uniforms, you may get into trouble. I don't want to get into trouble," he said.

There was laughter when Tumukunde moved to receive the uniforms but Nyanzi said they were in his car outside.

Nyanzi had no kind words for the media which he accused of making fun of dropped cabinet ministers.

"The press should stop making fun of the dropped ministers. They call us thieves and this business of mudslinging our name is not entertaining at all. The President is free to drop or choose anyone he wants to work with," Nyanzi complained.

He was handing over to the incoming minister Alex Onzima

Outgoing state minister in the office of the Vice president, Vincent Nnyanzi. . Photos/ Juliet Kasirye

During the ceremony, while other ministers reminisced the good times while they were in the offices, Nyanzi had a different story.

No wonder his brief to the incoming state minister, Alex Onzima painted nothing but trouble head.

While handing over, Nyanzi shocked fellow ministers when he narrated of the glitches he had endured while serving as minister for the last five years.

Nyanzi began his address by warning the incoming minister of what he is getting into. According to him, the ministry has no budget which Onzima should be ready to spend from his own pockets to run the ministry's activities.

 Sometimes, Nyanzi said he would be helped by State House comptroller Lucy Nakyobe.

Nyanzi was happy that since he left office he has not "spent a single coin." "This is the only ministry in President Museveni's government without a vote. I tried to lobby but I failed. I am happy that since my departure, I have not spent any money. My money is now for my wife and children," he said.

Nyanzi shocked everyone when he warned Onzima against accepting assignment that requires pledging.

"When you are delegated, without money, please don't go.  If you are not given cash don't go. I was sent on several functions, I pledged but up to now the pledges have never been fulfilled and people look at me and think ……" Nyanzi said without completing the sentence.

Nyanzi told the meeting that he never had a driver or bodyguard. "I drove myself and I have the car keys here. If you get used to the driver and the bodyguard and then you are dropped, you will get into problems," he warned.

Nyanzi said he was returning to his farms in Mityana where President Museveni had picked him from in 1998. Nyanzi has been minister since 1998 serving in the ministry of Trade and Industry, Gender, Economic Monitoring and office of the Vice President.

He however thanked President Yoweri Museveni for according him the opportunity to serve as minister for all that time.

However, when Onzima took to the floor, he did not comment about Nyanzi's experience in office.  He only criticized people for not living according to the Ugandan motto, For God and My Country.