There is no problem in promoting Brig Muhoozi- MP Nsereko

What you need to know:

There is no problem in promoting young people like Brig Muhoozi as long as one has been given a task and performed it or has been promoted on merit. What we do not want is discrimination in promotion based on sex, religion and tribe. You cannot discriminate someone because he is son to the President. What is so alarming about that?” asked the MP

PARLIAMENT.
Kampala Central MP Mohammad Nsereko yesterday dipped into the fresh debate surrounding what critics insist was the rapid rise of the President’s son through the army ranks.

Mr Nsereko told a news conference at Parliament that Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s position at the helm of the Special Forces Command is fine since he is a Ugandan whose promotion was based on merit.

“There is no problem in promoting young people like Brig Muhoozi as long as one has been given a task and performed it or has been promoted on merit. What we do not want is discrimination in promotion based on sex, religion and tribe. You cannot discriminate someone because he is son to the President. What is so alarming about that?” asked the MP.

A known critic of the government who was among five MPs expelled from the ruling NRM party for their independent views, Mr Nsereko said he was addressing the press in his capacity as the Kampala Central MP, insisted there is nothing “miraculous” about promoting Brig Muhoozi.

“The young ones should be promoted for as long as they have perfomed. The old ones should be given an exit to retire gracefully,” said Mr Nsereko.

He cited examples of former army commander and now FDC leader, Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, saying he was also promoted rapidly.
But Nsereko’s counterpart, the Lwemiyaga County MP, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, however, differed, arguing that Brig Muhoozi must excel in his military career just like any other cadre.

“Whereas Muhoozi is like any other Ugandan, he has all the right and opportunity to excel in his military career. This, however, only needs to be achieved and earned on merit rather than the obscene high flying. Muhoozi must be allowed to be on his own rather than suffering unconscionable and overbearing parentage.

Now, if it is a question of courses attended, such courses must be available to all officers and men of the UPDF,” Mr Ssekikubo, who was thrown out of the NRM alongside Mr Nsereko, said.

Another colleague who was also stripped of his membership to the party, similarly disagreed with Mr Nsereko. Mr Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West) said Brig Muhoozi’s promotions are not on merit.