I won’t shut up over army role in Naads - Fr Gaetano

Fr Gaetano Batanyenda (R) addresses journalists in Kabale Town on Wednesday ahead of the launch of a campaign against corruption that started yesterday. PHOTO BY ROBERT MUHEREZA

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Bold. The outspoken Catholic priest says he is ready to be jailed for criticising the UPDF on Naads

Kabale.
The chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council in Kigezi sub-region, Rev Fr Gaetano Batanyenda, has said he will continue criticising the deployment of UPDF soldiers in the Naads programme because they are not competent enough to handle agriculture advisory issues since their area of competence is promoting peace and security.

The Catholic priest’s remarks come after President Museveni warned that he would send to prison all those who criticise UPDF soldiers deployed to supervise Naads.

However, Fr Batanyenda said he is ready to be arrested for criticising the deployment of UPDF soldiers in the programme.

“I am ready to be the first person to be arrested for criticising the deployment of UPDF soldiers into the Naads programme,” Fr Batanyenda said.

“We shall not allow a strategy of some of our leaders to militarise government institutions when we have competent people to handle such technical services,” he added.

He was on Wednesday speaking during a press conference in Kabale Town ahead of the launch of the campaign week against corruption in Kigezi that began yesterday.

Fr Batanyenda, who is also the chairperson of Kick Corruption out of Kigezi, an anti-corruption NGO, also criticised some church leaders for glorifying corrupt leaders that come for fundraising functions in churches to contribute money they swindle from the government.

He said the climax of the campaign shall be on December 9 in Kampala, where President Museveni is expected to be the guest of honour.