Museveni responds to Besigye interview

On Sunday we ran a wide-ranging interview of former Forum for Democratic Change President, Dr Kizza Besigye, in which he made a number of critical statements about the government. President Museveni has replied to that interview in a statement, published below.

Clarification of Besigye’s lies
By H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda
6th February, 2013

I have been watching, without comment, the circus that has been going on in the newspapers of Uganda about UPDF wanting to make a coup; that some leaders, including myself, made comments to that effect. Then, that manufactured lie being amplified by individuals who, for many years, have been in the habit of promoting intrigue and indiscipline in the NRM. A few other commentators like Mr. John Nagenda appeared to have been genuinely duped by this subterfuge manufactured by the Daily Monitor newspaper and its collaborators.

I refused to comment for two reasons. Reason number one is that some of these newspapers endlessly tell lies. One would have to abandon more useful work to respond to the lies and malice of these papers always manipulated by the enemies of Uganda. The second reason is that I do not want to be used by the enemies of Uganda to also contribute to the diversion of the public’s attention from their core interests to the endless schemes of these enemies. The intention of these enemies is to divert the attention of the public from their core interests to these lies and also to scare businesses that may want to come to Uganda by presenting Uganda as potentially unstable. I cannot join such schemes annoying though they may be.

At Kyankwanzi, we only allowed the Press at the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony. During the rest of the time (this time, from 11th to 18th of January, 2013), we were engaged in very serious discussions about a very large number of topics confidentially. In the end, we passed Resolutions which were published. The Daily Monitor newspaper may not even have published those Resolutions – deliberate conclusions of the NRM’s Parliamentary Caucus Retreat. Instead, they manufacture a lie or bring issues totally out of context. I cannot, nevertheless, be provoked into answering the lies of such schemers in order to “clarify” because those were confidential discussions. As time passes, Uganda will grow more immune to this endless blackmail and provocation. As for the schemers, there is a time for everything, it says in the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3: 1-8: “…There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the Heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…..a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace”

We have seen such characters before. On the 23rd of January, 1973, for instance, I was on a clandestine mission with two of my colleagues in Mbale against Idi Amin’s regime. We were in Maumbe’s house, House No.49, Maluku Estate. At around 1500 hours, we were suddenly surrounded by about 15 military Police of Idi Amin. I fought my way out of that encirclement but, unfortunately, my two colleagues were killed. We also killed two of the Military Police. The schemers and the enemies were soon at work. “Museveni is the one who killed his colleagues. If he did not kill them, why did he not die himself? Why did he escape alive?” All those schemes never stopped the NRM from winning victories. We are now much better positioned to defeat those schemes compared to 1973, when we were much weaker but as greatly motivated as we are today. I wish good luck to the schemers.

Nevertheless, I have now decided to write something because the Sunday Monitor of the 3rd of February, 2013, published an interview by Dr. Besigye. The aim of the Monitor paper is always to demean the achievements of the NRM and divert Ugandans from their core interests. Now that the whole of Uganda is peaceful, we have adequate electricity, we (the NRM) discovered the oil for the Ugandans, we have a massive educated force, etc., this is too much for the Monitor newspaper. They must promote chaos through talk of coups, lies about the Prime Minister and Ministers taking bribes from oil companies, recall of Parliament, Museveni killing the late Nebanda, etc. Monitor newspaper you will fail.

Since, however, Dr. Besigye gave an extensive interview in that enemy paper attacking the achievements of NRM over the last 43 years of struggle for liberation and the building of Uganda in the last 27 years of that time, I will answer him for the sake of the young people who do not know that history well.

I will start with his last point while responding to the Monitor Interviewer who asked Dr. Besigye the following question: “But the NRM has as well grown the economy. President Museveni revealed at the same function that the economy is growing 14 times annually?” Of course, this question had itself a mistake. The economy is now 14 times bigger than it was in 1986. It is now 50 trillion shillings while in 1986, it was 3.5 trillion shillings. In dollars, it is US$ 20 billion. In the 1990s only the economy of Kenya was US$ 12 billion in East Africa. We have now surpassed that level. By the end of this Financial Year, the economy will be 58 trillion shillings or about US$ 22 billion in spite of the slower rate of growth created, partly, by the slower global rate of growth.

Dr. Besigye answered the interviewer by saying that the NRM has failed to live up to Point Number 5 of the NRM Programme of building an integrated self-sustaining economy – that is, creating an economy with inter-sectoral linkages, e.g. agriculture producing raw materials for industry and industry producing inputs for agriculture, etc. It is true that the NRM has not completed the job of transformation of the economy, mainly, for two reasons: the very low base from which we started and sabotage by some political actors, especially, those who, eventually, joined FDC and other opposition groups. I remember very well that, for instance, many of those who opposed Bujagaali hydro power project were individuals who, eventually, joined the opposition groups. Bujagaali is now finished, but late by about 15 years. That is why we will no longer tolerate those internal saboteurs or those from the opposition opposing industrialization. Nevertheless, that sabotage and the low base we started from notwithstanding, the progress in industrial production can only be denied by somebody who is pathologically biased. The share of industry to GDP is now 26.4% while in 1986, it was 9.9% of GDP. This is 26.4% of an economy that is 14 times bigger than it was in 1986. The industrialization of the economy under NRM started with the rehabilitation of industries that were producing consumer goods: beers, sodas, soap, sugar, tea, etc. Before 1986, all these were being imported from Kenya, they were in great scarcity and they were being smuggled into the country. The smuggling (known as magendo) meant that the State was not getting taxes on these goods. Uganda is not only self-sufficient in most of these goods but is, actually, exporting a lot of them to the neighbouring countries. The value of the exports of industrial goods is now US$ 509 million. Then, there is the production of intermediate goods (goods that are needed as inputs into other industries) such as cement and steel-bars (mitayimbwa) for construction. The relevant figures are: the production of cement in 1986 was about 76,400 metric tonnes per annum; the production is now 2.4 million met. tonnes per annum. The production of mitayimbwa was 832 metric tonnes per annum in 1986. It is now about 240,000 metric tonnes per annum. The production of car batteries in 1986 was 4,000 batteries per annum. The production is now 170,000 batteries per annum. Many of these products are being exported to the neighbouring countries. Uganda is now exporting industrial products. Then, there is the value addition to agricultural products. Let us take the example of milk. By 1986, all processed milk was coming from outside (Kenya, Denmark, etc.). Today, Uganda is not only self-sufficient in processed milk products but she is actually exporting quite a bit of these, not only to the region but internationally.

Recently, we have been negotiating with India to accept our processed milk. There are scientific innovations and inventions – banana starch, juices, machine-parts and machines, the electric car, etc. Now that we have, finally, overcome the sabotage of the groups people like Dr. Besigye belong to by regaining the initiative in electricity, nothing will stop us. Uganda is now generating (installed capacity) 828 MW compared to 60 MW in 1986. We would be much further if it was not for the sabotage of the said factions. Dr. Besigye keeps deceiving civilians who do not know the history of NRA well that we have been running a Military Government all these years. Surely, Dr. Besigye, you know very well that these sabotages by your groups would not have been possible if we were running a Military Government; nor would have been the indiscipline by the political actors possible. It is precisely because of the early civilianization and democratization of the politics that saboteurs have been able to delay our progress including industrialization. We do not regret this, however, because it allows the whole population to be involved in the debates (needless debates created by either saboteurs or ego-centric actors) and, in the process, the population matures more politically and ideologically. That is why the NRM has been winning in all the General Elections in spite of the reckless and irresponsible lies by the opposition – “Museveni has sold Lake Victoria; Museveni has sold Lake Kyoga, etc.” It is slower but it is the only way to move. An NRA/UPDF Military Government, provided we had our own financial resources (we did not have to depend on the outside money), would have moved much, much faster on the transformation of Uganda and Dr. Besigye knows that very well. The sort of schemes he has been promoting would not have been possible. However, right from the beginning we democratized Uganda and have had to cope with the slower pace and more tedious work of dealing with indisciplined, malicious, opinionated or, sometimes, just un-informed actors. Since 1986, the UPDF-NRA ensures peace as well as stability and the civilians manage or mismanage the politics, the administration and the justice. That is the accurate characterization of the situation of Uganda under the NRM.

I must congratulate Dr. Besigye because, in recent statements, he has acknowledged the undeniable success of the NRA/UPDF. In his recent interview, he, for instance, said: “in some parts of the country where there were no insurgencies, especially the Southern and Central Uganda, security has been generally better than it was before 1986 and one can say, therefore, thanks to the NRM Government.” He, then, spoils that correct assessment by quickly adding: “But that is debatable because indeed there was no challenge to the regime”!! Well that is not correct. There was Itongwa who was quickly put out of action. There was “walk to work”, which was defeated by the Police in spite of the very weak legal framework that would allow a trouble maker to flout bail terms and continue to be free to threaten the merchandise of tomato sellers in the markets. There were challenges in the South and the Central regions but they were defeated. After all, the Rwenzori and Bunyoro are part of the South where ADF tormented people. ADF was defeated without NRA/UPDF violating the human rights of the population. Similarly, in the North and North-East, the terrorists and cattle-rustlers were defeated. There were some mistakes like Mukula and Bucoro incidents as well as deliberate crimes like Kanyum. Where these mistakes and crimes came to the surface (were reported) decisive action was taken. Since 1986, we have publicly executed 22 soldiers on account of committing serious crimes against wanainchi, such as murder, armed robbery, rape, etc.

That is why the much suffering population of Northern Uganda and North-Eastern Uganda ran to IDPs because they were protected by the Army. They did not run into exile. They had confidence in the Army and they knew they were running away from terrorists. In fact, the population was blaming us for not defeating the rebels quickly. After all, the first people to take up arrows against the terrorists in 1991 were the people of Acholi. That is when Kony started cutting off people’s limbs, noses, legs, etc., because they were reporting him to UPDF because he was disturbing their peace.

Therefore, Dr. Besigye’s thesis that the NRA/UPDF maintained security only where it had no challenge is discredited by the facts of the history of the struggle for stability. Apart from a few mistakes that were not reported, the NRA/UPDF defeated the terrorists and protected people. Where violation of the human rights was reported, stun action was taken. On account of the exemplary discipline of the NRA/UPDF, its ideological orientation and its professional development, our Army has been able to operate in very sensitive situations like Congo as well as Somalia and come out with flying colours. Therefore, the NRA/UPDF brought “oturo” (to sleep peacefully without worry) not only to the people of Central and Southern Uganda but to all the people of Uganda (North, North-East and Karamoja included) as well as to the people of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), wherever it operates – whether challenged or not.

Having disposed of the more substantive points of Dr. Besigye, let me deal with the petty issues Dr. Besigye and his colleagues keep raising. These are: the story about Muhoozi and now Dr. Besigye has added the question of Museveni putting on military uniform when he is the President as well as why we should take MPs to Kyankwanzi, put them in military uniform and make them salute. Why take MPs to Kyankwanzi? What a question from Dr. Besigye, former National Political Commissar (NPC) of NRM? Have you forgotten how it was political education that galvanized our people to withstand all the difficulties the NRM faced – killings of our supporters, hunger, lack of drugs, living in the bush, etc. If you are now allergic to the word political education, use “sensitization”, “advocacy” for certain ideas, etc. There is much “advocacy” and “sensitization” by foreign NGOs which the groups of Dr. Besigye associate so much with. Why doesn’t Dr. Besigye object to those programmes? Why then does Dr Besigye object to our advocacy for patriotism, Pan-Africanism, social –economic transformation and democracy? The wanainchi, including MPs, putting on military uniform in a regulated manner, is a big advantage. First of all, the MPs identify with the Army. What is wrong with that? They gain interest in Army work, they understand a bit better the work of the Army. This gives the Army a wider catchment area when it comes to recruitment.

Besides, our strategic doctrine is to maintain a small standing Army of about 50,000, with a large number of officers and NCOs, but have all Ugandans of military age as part of strategic reserve so that in case of war, a big war not this business of Kony, we are able to mobilize an Army of millions to defend our country. That is why we have our reserve command. Political leaders involving themselves in quasi-Army activities, builds up enthusiasm and understanding for the Army. Besides, it benefits the MPs themselves, not only in terms of ideology, but also in the rudiments in terms of self-defence.

Coming to Muhoozi, he was not irregularly recruited. When he was still in his A’ level holiday, he asked to bring along some of his school friends for elementary military training. I was very happy to see him pick up interest in the work of the Army, after all, he was born in the Army and grew up in the Army. While much of our Army work was clandestine and in the bush, whenever opportunity presented itself, my children would live with the Army (e.g. 1979 – 81 and 1986 to-date).

If a child picks interest in Army work because of those surroundings or for any other reason, patriots can only be very happy. Youths who join the Army not as a means of living but because of patriotic ideological interest in the Army, are a Godsend to that Army. Muhoozi having finished his degree course at Nottingham, U.K., expressed his long standing interest to join the Army where he was documented, went for Officer Cadet Course and qualified for the elementary Army leadership course. Why would any patriotic Ugandan be unhappy with that? If my son is not interested in the army to defend Uganda, having spent all my adult life doing nothing else but that, that would be proof that our system is a failure. Why would the children of other Ugandans be interested? It is, actually, also good publicity for the Army among the youth to attract them to join.

Muhoozi doing many courses. Dr. Besigye was part of the Army leadership because he was Chief of Logistics and Engineering (C.L.E.) at one time. He knows that we worked out a career progression scheme for the Army. The scheme provided the years the Army personnel should stay on a particular rank, when he should go for a course or retire when he is not able to progress. The only complication is that lack of adequate funds does not allow us to retire so many people because we would have to give them the retirement packages. That is what may cause clogging on ranks. Otherwise, training, serving and training again should be the way to go. Also training according to the skills needed. When the Besigyes were in the Army, the wish of the Army was to send them for many courses, within the country and abroad. Many of that group could not go to some of these courses and Dr. Besigye knows why.

Why does Aronda salute Saleh and Tumwine? It is because they are senior to Aronda in serving the country. We maintain layers of organic leadership – the active and the retired but available. I had retired General Saleh in 1989, because of drinking alcohol and appearing drunk in public. That weakness did not, however, eliminate the fact that Saleh had led operations in which we had captured the greatest amount of guns (Masindi, Kabamba, Mubende, Katonga, Masaka, Mbarara and Kampala). When he corrected his ways, we called him back in 1996 to confront the aggression on our northern border. You know what good work he did with other commanders who were working with him – Kazini, Katumba, etc. Why does Besigye not value the services of such comrades? Gen. Tumwine is the officer that fired the first shot at Kabamba, he was our Army Commander for a number of years. He is always active in mobilization. War, Dr. Besigye, is not a tea party. The more brains you have, the better unless there are irreconcilable differences in which case we part ways.

Why does Museveni, being President of the Republic of Uganda put on uniform when he retired from the Army? First of all, Museveni is Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF. All Commanders-In-Chief, even the ones that have never been in Army, put on ceremonial uniforms on Army occasions. Those who were old enough would have seen Mzee Kenyatta, Mzee Obote and Mzee Nyerere putting on uniforms. Mwalimu Nyerere used to put on National Service uniform. Instead of putting on the ceremonial uniform, I prefer to put on the Army green that I used in all the Resistance wars (1971-79, 1981-86 and ever since). I was sworn in as President on the 29th of January 1986, in that Army green. Sometimes I put on Army camouflage if it is well tailored. Even Army officers and personnel, who are not Commanders-in-Chief, should put on Army uniforms on ceremonial occasions even if they are retired. Have you not seen the 2nd World War veterans (the inter-imperialist war of 1939-45) putting on British Army uniforms given to them in 1946 when they left the British Army? They are a beautiful sight to see and a visual lesson in our history. Why would anybody be unhappy about this?

Regarding the MPs being the elected representatives of the people, that is correct. Only that Dr. Besigye forgot to include in his interview the fact that there is another Authority who is also an elected representative of the people – the President who gets more votes than any MP. It must have been an unintended oversight.

In the next piece, I will deal with the remaining elements of Besigye’s interview. These were: ‘Special Forces was created for Muhoozi; poverty; we went to the bush to overthrow Army rule; and power belongs to the people and not the Army’.

In the meantime, it is better for everybody if the promoters of endless political indiscipline and those who undermine patriotism were to rein themselves in. The patriotic forces that spearheaded the liberation of the country are ready and able to ensure that Uganda takes-off now that we have surmounted the consequences of the previous sabotage and are achieving a level of self-sufficiency in finance. We will, therefore, not tolerate any new sabotage schemes.

I thank the editor for the space for this clarification.

5th February 2013 - Arua

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