No Coup Plot, Says Mbabazi

The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
December 4, 2003
Posted to the web December 4, 2003

By Alex B. Atuhaire
Kampala
More than 60 officers on forced leave
The minister of Defence has dismissed reports that there was a planned coup by
some of the officers purged from the military on Monday.
"I read reports that there was a planned coup but there is absolutely no truth
about that," Mr Amama Mbabazi said by telephone yesterday.
"Nobody has been suspected of treason of any kind. Nobody is suspected of being
involved in any plot against government at all," Mbabazi said.
The minister yesterday also made a statement in Parliament about the shake up
in the military.
On Monday, President Museveni sent several army officers, including Maj. Gen.
James Kazini, Brig. Henry Tumukunde, Brig. Steven Kashaka and Brig. Lakara
Nakibus, on forced leave pending an appearance before the General Court
Martial.
Brig. Joshua Masaba replaced Lakara as chief of staff, with Col. Benon Biraaro
as his deputy.
Kazini was army commander until June this year when Maj. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima
replaced him.
Tumukunde is a former chief of the Internal Security Organisation, now under
Col. Elly Kayanja.
Some of the officers are to be charged with "perpetuation of ghost soldiers - a
most subversive act - and fomenting wrangles in the force".
Some of the officers will appear before Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza, who is
chairing an extended investigation into the ghost-soldier problem that has
haunted the military for years.
Mbabazi chaired the first probe, which handed over its report incriminating the
suspended officers.
Mbabazi, however, said that there are more than 60 officers sent on forced
leave and not 28 as reported earlier.
"It's more than 28; it's in excess of 60," he said. Mbabazi dismissed
suggestions that the shake up was a political purge targeting officers who are
opposed to Museveni's third term project.
He said the officers were suspended as a result of his committee's report.
"That this was a political purge? That's not true at all because the management
of the army is not based on any political consideration," he said.
"The action taken by the commander in chief is purely a disciplinary measure
which he is taking to instil more discipline in the force and that's all,"
Mbabazi said.
He said that what the President, Lt. Gen. Museveni, has done is a routine
command function.
He declined to disclose which categories of officers are facing which charges.
"I am not in position to comment on that now because some action is going to be
taken as per the instructions of the commander-in-chief. And for me to comment
now may prejudice that action," he said.

   

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