Opposition to challenge decision to elevate SFC to independent unit

PARLIAMENT

Former Army Commander Major General (rtd) Mugisha Muntu has said the Opposition will challenge President Museveni’s decision to turn the Special Forces Command (SFC) into an autonomous unit.

Speaking at Parliament where he had turned up to witness the swearing in of some Opposition Members of Parliament, Maj. Gen Muntu who is also the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president said Mr Museveni had not followed proper procedure.

“Now that the 10th Parliament has started, I believe us, as the Opposition, we will have to move a motion to challenge that. This is a country; it is not like your home or my home,” Maj. Gen. Muntu said.

“You can wake up one morning and say whatever you want to do in your home. However, these days [even in a home] you must consult your wife and your children.”

He added that the commander in chief’s decision to promote his son Brigadier Muhoozi Kainerugaba to major general, was informed by “panic”.

He did not elaborate.

Maj. Gen. Muntu was responding to a question from a journalist who asked about the decision to make the SFC autonomous.

“That is again panic. You can't have two armies in one country. Two, to create a force is supposed to be a parliamentary process, not a one-man decision even if that one man is the one in charge of a country to wake up one morning and issue a declaration,” Maj. Gen Muntu said.
President Museveni on Monday promoted Muhoozi, among others, to different ranks.

The Uganda People's Defense Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Ankunda later told the Daily Monitor Muhoozi had been promoted to enable him to command an autonomous service force.

Compiled by Isaac Imaka, Esther Oluka, Gillian Nantume & Nelson Wesonga