I am a dangerous machine, says Maj Gen Kyaligonza

Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza,

Hoima-Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza has described himself as “a dangerous machine” which should not be joked with.

The embattled Maj Gen Kyaligonza was addressing Bunyoro leaders during the Presidential visit this week.

Maj Gen Kyaligonza, a bush war hero, lashed out at some National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders who are not “respecting” historicals.

President Yoweri Museveni visited Bunyoro region on Tuesday and Wednesday where he interfaced with NRM party officials, district leaders, resident district commissioners, chief administrative officers, councillors, district chairpersons and opinion leaders at a closed door meeting that was held at Kontik Hotel in Hoima town.

Sources in the meeting told Daily Monitor that Maj Gen Kyaligonza who faces accusations of assaulting a female traffic officer on duty, said historicals like him and the President, deserve respect from young NRM leaders because they contributed to the prevailing peace in the country.

 The President reportedly kept taking notes and occasionally smiling as Gen Kyaligonza made his submission.

Gen Kyaligonza was recently cast in the limelight for allegedly assaulting Sgt. Esther Namaganda, a female traffic Police officer in Seeta after his car reportedly made a U-turn in the middle of the road in February.

Gen Kyaligonza who said he had come to his home area to explain the incident claimed that there are some individuals who are fanning his recent traffic incident for political reasons.

According to multiple sources that attended the meeting, Gen Kyaligonza did not name the  individuals he was referring to.

In 2015, Gen Kyaligonza who is also the Western Uganda NRM Vice chairman faced  stiff challenge from the Mr Museveni's son-in-law, Mr Odrek Rwabwogo, who was interested in the position.

Mr Museveni, however, convinced Mr Rwabwogo not to contest against Gen Kyaligonza.

Mr Rwabwogo had received endorsements from various NRM supporters after his country-wide tours where he explained why he should become the vice chairman of NRM whose chairman is President Museveni.

Later, the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) during a meeting at State House Entebbe, in September 2015 to vet aspirants for senior party positions, rejected Mr Rwabogo’s candidature on grounds that it threatened the NRM party cohesion.

The CEC decision left Gen Kyaligonza in the race with his fellow bush war comrade Gen Kahinda Otafiire who also stepped down in favour of Gen Kyaligonza.

“Gen Kyaligonza told the Hoima meeting that he cannot fight a policewoman because it is only cowards who fight women,” a source that attended the meeting said.

He, however, added that he was a dangerous machine which is well known by all NRM bush war comrades including President Museveni.

“He said generals like him shouldn’t be joked with. They are dangerous machines” Mr Yunusu Mugabe, a member of the Local Government Finance Commission quoted Gen Kyaligonza as having said. “He said if he would have fought the lady, she would not survive because Generals are dangerous and highly trained.”

Gen Kyaligonza reportedly said he still has the stamina to fight much as he is in retirement.

Gen Kyaligonza warned opposition politicians who are challenging President Museveni to recognize that he was “chosen by God” to lead Uganda.

“He should be left to lead the country until God decides otherwise,” Gen Kyaligonza reportedly said.

President Museveni is said not to have directly responded to Gen Kyaligonza’s statements.

The president hailed NRM for bringing peace, development, stability and democracy in Uganda.

“If you abuse me, I am happy. It means Ugandans are liberated and free to express themselves. It means they no longer fear,” the President said.

READ:

Gen Kyaligonza’s assault case fails to take off

Gen. Kyaligonza risks being jailed for five years if found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm according to section 236 of the Penal Code Act