‘Election security is the duty of Police’

As the countrywide campaigns for 2011 general elections gathers pace, the Opposition has publicly accused security forces of training militias with the aim of causing violence during elections. The Army has denied the allegations as Risdel Kasasira found out from Defence and Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye. Excerpts:-

The Besigye group has defied you by refusing to withdraw the allegations that you are training a militia to cause violence. What is your next step?
I think the bottom line is very clear. Before you ask what next, we need to appreciate the factors or the problems behind the IPC allegations. It has been unusual in Uganda’s political history that you have a campaign period that is so peaceful to the extent that people are saying the campaigns are boring. They reason that Ugandans are not used to campaigns of reason or issues. They have been used to people fighting each other. But now, it is peaceful because: Ugandans have grown politically; two security agencies are very strict not only with themselves but also with the situation as it is.
Now, how does the opposition remain in the headlines in the media? Because every other day, you have IPC in the headlines because of the allegations they are making. And we know that even next week, they will make another allegation. So, we felt it a democratic responsibility as UPDF to lodge a complaint to the Electoral Commission because that is the body in-charge of the electoral process. Indeed, we promised that if they do not respond or withdraw because the condition was that - substantiate, or if not, withdraw the allegation.
Like Moa Tse Tung said, “no information, no right to talk”. You can’t just sit at Najjanankumbi or wherever you are and make allegations about UPDF that has built its reputation for years, respected internationally, regionally, the major actor in international support for peace operations and a pillar of Uganda’s stability. Just like we appreciate that everyone has a right of speech, it must not be abused.

What is going on in Kapeeka and Kaweweta where the IPC says you are training a militia to cause violence?
In Kaweweta, we train our recruits. Indeed those Ugandans we recruited in February and March this year were taken to Kaweweta for training. Those who joined cadet were taken to Kabamba for training. Recently those recruits walked 60 kilometres from Kaweweta to Kapeeka to join the Ugabag force that is undergoing training for Somalia so that they can graduate together.
Indeed, on Friday, we witnessed the pass-out parade by these Ugandans who have joined and those that have been preparing to go to Somalia. So these are gazetted training schools of UPDF which we use to train our soldiers for national obligation. For anyone to come out and say we are training militias is an insult to our integrity.

The military has had a history of interfering in the national and local politics. Why do you say UPDF is different when we are hearing army officers being accused of interfering in partisan politics?
First of all, UPDF is special. That goes without saying. Its origin are the people. Its survival are the people, not might in terms of equipment. The secret behind our survival for now coming to 30 years is nothing less but support of the people. And we treasure that support very much. Two, whereas in 1996 and 2001 election, we had a ‘bus’ where everybody was a member, you remember UPDF participated in campaigns. In 2006, when we went multiparty, we were instructed to keep out of partisan politics. And indeed, we issued guidelines that year. Similarly this year, we have issued guidelines against anyone of us getting involved in political party activities. Ever since we issued these guidelines, we have kept out of the campaigns. Do not think that we are not politically conscious. We know that we are not supposed to be non-partisan.

Do you see violence in 2011 and how prepared are you to intervene in case chaos erupt?
The talk of not going to court again may imply planning for violence. It’s an indicator because when you say “we shan’t accept the results, we will not go to court” what will you do? Will you commit suicide? Therefore, if you are strategic in thinking, you read between the lines. Yes, there is a possibility of some people resorting to violence and we are prepared for any eventuality. If anyone resorts to violence, we shall have no option but to evoke our constitutional obligation to deal with them. We certainly know that the election security is the responsibility of the Police Force and for sure they are the lead agents in this process. However, under Article 212 of the Constitution, they are permitted to seek support of other security agencies. Therefore, should they seek support of UPDF, we shall evoke Article 210 and support them.

Do you think UPDF will allow Dr Besigye or any other presidential candidate other than President Museveni to be the Commander-in-Chief given some officers historical links with Mr Museveni?
It’s true that the founding father of NRA is President Museveni. That is undoubtable. You cannot deny him that historical contribution. In 2001, he pledged to professionalise the UPDF, and indeed professionalisation has been taking place at a very fast pace. Secondly, the Chief of Defence Forces, while addressing students in Makerere said the UPDF shall abide by the decision of the people of Uganda. Being his staff officer, I have said it and again that whatever the people of Uganda decide, we shall go by their decision. We do value and treasure our strategic relationship with people. We believe that our relationship with people is symbiotic. When your relationship with the people is symbiotic, you cannot antagonise them by going against their will. That was our same view to the Odoki Commission. Ours was one statement and it was handed in by Maj. Gen. [Mugisha] Muntu. I don’t know why people don’t ask him - “did you mean what you said?”

People have alleged that President Museveni has never believed and trusted police and that is why soldiers are always deployed during elections in the name of reinforcing police. What is your comment?
But he has not deployed soldiers. Take an example of 2006, half of UPDF was in northern Uganda. And you know that in 2006, northern voted against President Museveni but it had the most peaceful elections. That is a testimony that UPDF can be trusted and should be trusted. Deploying UPDF on the streets of Kampala is a deterrent measure. You are better off prepared than saying “sorry”. Indeed, you have some Ugandans saying “ bwotoleta military, tetuvawo wano” (if you don’t bring the military, we are not going to move away). It’s actually the people, not President Museveni who call for the military to support the Police during riots. Yes their ratings are not as high as UPDF but certainly they are a much better Force than they were 10 years ago. Our deployment is strictly for supportive role. You will not see a UPDF soldier at a polling station. Those who don’t respect UPDF are a few politicians who want to seek power by hook or crook. What characterises democracy is that in addition to fair play, the contenders must be willing to accept defeat and those who have won to enjoy their victory magnanimously.

There have been allegations that President Museveni is grooming his son, Lt. Col. Kaneirugaba Muhoozi, a UPDF officer, to replace him. Do you think Lt. Col. Muhoozi has the charisma like his father to be Commander-In-Chief?
One thing I want to emphasise is that two people can never be the same. Even when you are twins, your characteristics are different. Whether Lt. Col. Muhoozi has the same charisma like his father is a matter to be judged by the voters. And I think he is much bigger than many of his contemporaries. But why should we imagine that the President is grooming his son and therefore begin passing judgments? But you do not imagine that Lt. Col. Muhoozi is like any Ugandan? He has equal right like you and I and he didn’t choose to be born to a person who was later to become president of Uganda. Being the son of the President, should not be a reason for him to be ostracised.