UGANDA: Museveni frees Iddi Amin "useless" generals from captivity

MUSEVENI FREES IDDI AMIN "USELESS" GENERALS FROM CAPTIVITY

CHANGE OF GUARDS - Last week Ugandans witnessed their military dictator, Gen. Museveni setting free a number of harmless, aged and useless so called army Generals from captivity. These are army officers who joined the army in the early 1960s and 1970s and served under different regimes, fought and lost battles, were captured and taken hostage, fled into exile, formed and served rebel groups before Museveni finally captured and held them captive.

Under Museveni they initially held some responsible positions under watch during the broadbased era. However as his real intentions came to the surface, he sidelined these officers and left them redundant for decades. During this period they suffered terrible humiliation as their former aides, drivers, shamba boys, escorts, clerks and neighbour's children rose to become their Boses. It is in this regard that while appearing on NBS Television Morning Breeze program around January 2017, Gen. Kasirye Gwanga commented; "I would rather retire, but I can't salute these young chaps". He was referring to the appointment of Gen. Muhoozi Rubakuuba as the army chief.

These Generals initially shunned joining Museveni during his Bush War because as the Minister of Defence during the post Iddi Amin UNLF era, he had been responsible for their degrading treatment, humiliation, detention without trial in appallingly conditions. The likes of Hussein Adda. Mark Kodil and Kasirye Gwanga joined Kayiira's UFM. During the Nairobi Peace Talks in 1985, Mark Kodil was in the Lutwa government delegation. John Mateeka is hated by RPF in Rwanda because he refused to invade with them in 1990. For over the last one decade these Generals have been a nuisance in the army. Museveni feared to free them for fear that they would join the opposition as is the trend for retired army officers. That is why the likes of Gen. Ssejusa can't be released. For the same reasons, there are many others of that kind who are still stuck in there. Otherwise, let the army tell Ugandans (who have been bearing the burden of maintaining these Generals) what contributions they have been making for at least the last one decade.

As the Muhoozi Project takes shape, Museveni now feels safer to set free these now powerless senior army officers. However, he is very cautious and the process takes a rigorous process of establishing the so called " political clarity" of the potential retirees. His UPDF Act (2005) talks about the grounds for retirement as old age, ill health, disability, indiscipline, and incompetence. To suit his designs, the same Act is silent on the retirement age. The recently retired Generals and their dates of joining the army are as follows:

1. Hussein Adda (1963)
2. John Mateeka (1966)
3. James Ssebagala (1966)
4. Kasirye Gwanga (1972)
5. Joshua Masaba. (1966)
6. Ali kiiza (1966)
7. Stephen Othieno (1968)
8. Olanya Ojara (1968)
9. Yowasi Kiiza (1963)
10. Mark Kodil (1968)

The 11th is Jacob Musajjawaza who did not serve in any other army other than the NRA which he joined in 1981 as a civilian. At the time of joining, he was known to be not only a rich man but the richest among all the NRAs including Museveni who almost had nothing. Jacob committed his personal resources towards the cause of the war but interestingly he is not among the known thieves who amassed a lot of wealth upon coming into power. This is inspite of the fact that he initially held juicy positions like Director of Supplies.

Museveni will not take chances with these Generals. We are likely to see a number of them appointed to civilian positions in government, in a wider scheme of militarization. The impending revival of Uganda Airlines may be the first casualty. The sad news is that almost all the retired Generals are politically hopeless and have been unconsciously enjoying the captivity. Remember, this is the second time Kasirye Gwanga is retired. The first time was in May 2015 but shortly after he complained of hard life and was reinstated to do nothing but just to burden the taxpayer.

INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM