MPs question Gen Katumba over UPDF raid on Mumbere’s palace

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Katumba Wamala's role in the recent Kasese clashes has raised eyebrows among legislators.
This is after revelations that Gen Katumba was in Kampala at the time when the joint security forces raided the palace of the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere on November 27.
The attack stemmed from failed negotiations between Omusinga Mumbere and security officials who wanted him to disarm his royal guards and surrender them to the Police.

According to sources who attended a meeting between Katumba, State Minister of Defence, Colonel Charles Okello Engola and MPs on the Defence and Internal Affairs committee, the CDF reportedly said he was in Kampala when the offensive was launched, adding that he only communicated to those on ground on phone.
A number of legislators are said to have questioned the CDF whether he had been sidelined in the operation, a claim he reportedly dismissed.

CDF is the head of the Defence Forces and is responsible for the command, control, and administration of the UPDF. He is also the chief military advisor to President Museveni who is the Commander-in-Chief.
Katumba is also quoted to have told the legislators that the army followed orders from Mr Museveni, after King Mumbere defied attempts to have his royal guards surrender.
The committee also met Internal Affairs minister, General Jeje Odong in the afternoon, where he revealed that the number of the dead stood at 104, but this was disputed by legislators. On Wednesday, former defence minister, Dr Crispus Kiyonga told the same committee that only 57 people died, while the police has been putting the number at between 62 and 100.

Mubarak Munyagwa, Kawempe South MP says different government agencies are giving uncoordinated figures, which is suspicious.
Mr Odong declined to comment on the matter. Tasked to clarify on unconfirmed reports that there could have been children killed in the offensive, the minister dismissed this.
The Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura was expected before the committee but did not show up and was represented by Assistant IGP, Asuman Mugenyi and Police spokesperson, Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
The committee is set to travel to Kasese District today and will also visit Bundibugyo on Saturday; Ntoroko on Sunday and Kabarole on Monday as part of its investigations into the clashes.