Brig Kayanja vows to campaign for Museveni
Brig Elly Kayanja at a function in Rakai District on Sunday. PHOTO BY MARTINS E SSEKWEYAMA
What you need to know:
Justification. The head of the Operation Wealth Creation Programme says even UPDF regulations cannot stop him.
MASAKA. Despite Army regulations that bar serving soldiers from participating in partisan politics, Brig Elly Kayanja has said he will canvass support for President Museveni as he seeks a fifth elective term in office.
Brig Kayanja, who is in-charge of the Operation Wealth Creation Programme, told residents of Rakai District on Sunday his love for the President supersedes the regard for UPDF regulations.
“I am fully aware of the regulation that stops us (soldiers) from engaging in partisan politics but personally, I cannot hide my love and loyalty to NRM and to President Museveni,” he said.
Brig Kayanja said by virtue of participating in the liberation struggle that brought the current government to power, he cannot be barred by “a mere law” not to support a person he loves.
He was speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony organised by Kyotera County MP Haruna Kasolo in Kabaseke village, Kasaali Sub-county.
His career
Brig Kayanja was head of Operation Wembley, which saw the arrest and annihilation of criminal gangs that had caused mayhem in the country in the early 2000s. He once served as deputy director Internal Security Organisation and later became a director.
Later, he served as Deputy Coordinator of Intelligence Services.
In September 2014, he was appointed head of Operation Wealth Creation Programme.
About the law
Article 208 (1) of the Constitution provides that the national army shall be ‘non-partisan” as well as “subordinate to the civilian authority”. Section 99 of the UPDF Act, 2005, bars a serving army officer from seeking a political appointment.
