By CHANGE OF GUARDS
The bloody trail of Museveni’s journey to the presidency of Uganda and his 40 years’ efforts to retain the same is well documented. By hook or crook, he has always endeavored to remain at the helm of leadership. Right from the time he was leading guerilla movements to the current 38 years as the president of Uganda, those who have dared to contest his leadership have always paid a heavy price. The major casualties have been the cadres under his direct leadership and command who have dared to challenge his hold on power. He has always used draconian military law to contain the presidential appetite of his NRA cadres. Until 2000, the idea of formal retirement from the NRA was non-existent. Earlier, there had been two phases of Reduction in Force (RIF) that saw the military service of thousands of soldiers being terminated. The category that came to be referred to as Veterans comprised mostly those persons with health issues, the indisciplined, and generally the politically unconscious. That’s why among all the Veterans, it’s only Sgt. Spenser Turomwe (Husband of Beti Kamya) who was to later engage in active opposition politics.
The only way of relinguishing active service was either desertion, death, detention, or dismissal. The retirement by default of Col. (Dr) Kizza Besigye in 2000 and his contest for the presidency against Museveni in 2001 was an eye opener. Besigye was later joined by the likes of Maj. John Kazoora, Maj. Rubaramira Rurangwa, Col. Mushega, Maj. Okwir Rabwoni, Lt. Mugarura, and others in the crusade to challenge Museveni’s hold on power. When Gen. Muntu expressed his intention to retire, the panicky Museveni offered Muntu the position of Minister of Defense which the latter turned down. Museveni’s well-founded fear was that their political opposition could spread to the army which has always been his power base. In this regard, when Dr. Besigye claimed to have 90% support of the army, Museveni threatened to “send him 6 feet deep.”
Indeed, both serving soldiers and veterans were reported to have actively engaged in the alleged PRA armed rebellion that Museveni linked to Dr. Besigye. The likes of Col. Samson Mande, Col. Anthony Kyakabale, Col. Edson Muzoora, Captain. Katabazi, Capt. Amon Byarugaba, Capt. Kabali Masembe, Capt. Kiwanuka, Maj. Mugizi, Capt. James Katabazi, Lt. Matsiko Kyarisima, Lt. Stevey Asimwe, Sgt. David Agume, Sgt. Didas Atunga and a couple of others. This development compelled Museveni to put a stop to the voluntary retirement of soldiers. This was more so with those soldiers perceived to have political ambitions or whose loyalty to him was in doubt. Consequently, such soldiers who wished to retire from military service were not allowed. In spite of the well-stipulated terms and conditions of service, the retirement of top cadres became a prerogative of Museveni. Amidst increased pressure to retire from military service, in May 2013, Museveni appointed a committee headed by his brother, Gen. Saleh to come up with streamlined guidelines on the matter.
Before the said committee could finalize its work, in August 2013, Museveni instructed the army to issue new guidelines that affected only personnel at the rank of Major and below. The development targeted the topmost cadre of senior army officers who were highly perceived to harbor political ambitions. At the time, he was notably targeting the likes of Gen. Ssejusa and Gen. Tunukunde. When he allowed Gen. Biraro to retire, Biraro went for the presidency at the next general elections. His campaign platform was based on Museveni’s failures including the militarisation agenda. It became worse when Museveni released Gen. Tumukunde. Consequently, Museveni could not risk allowing Gen. Ssejusa and the like to retire.
It became clear that some soldiers were being held hostage. There is thorough scrutiny, vetting, and blackmail before one is allowed to retire. In some instances, top secret MOUs are signed between Museveni and the retirees not to engage in opposition politics. That’s why the likes of Gen. Ssejusa are painfully living in silence. Besides, the huge amounts of money that is given to them is conditioned on the same understanding. Above all, Museveni has created a situation that makes it highly treasonous for any retired soldier to identify with the political opposition and the consequences are too heavy to bear.
INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM
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