[allAfrica.com] [The_Leon_H._Sullivan_Summit_Dinner] Museveni Quits Army New Vision (Kampala) NEWS April 7, 2004 Posted to the web April 7, 2004 By Emmy Allio Kampala President Yoweri Museveni yesterday retired from the army, but said he would continue fighting terrorists like Joseph Kony as the Commander-in-Chief. In a colourful ceremony with military parade, traditional dancers and the army brass band at Bombo barracks, Museveni was decorated general by army commander Maj. Gen. Nyakairima Aronda and Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine. Soon after wearing the general's pips, defence minister Amama Mbabazi handed Museveni a certificate of retirement and several presents, including a precious sculpture in the shape of a grinding stone. He also received another beautiful sculpture made of hardwood, stone and glass. Museveni described to the mammoth crowd the role played by Libya, Mozambique and Tanzania in the liberation of Uganda. He gave awards to Libyans, Mozambicans and Tanzanians who helped him in the liberation struggle that began in the late 1960s. The late Nyerere, retired Tanzanian generals, Libyan officers including a pilot who airdropped arms for him in Ngoma in Luweero as well as his instructors and immediate superiors in Mozambique, were recognised and honoured with awards. "In our need, these three countries were the only ones on our side," he said, pointing to the delegations from the three countries. He said, "I want to tell you that in our days of struggle, there was no USA, no Britain or European union." Present was the Vice- President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, Speaker Edward Ssekandi, deputy Chief Justice L. Kikonyongo, cabinet ministers, MPs and former army commanders James Kazini, Jeje Odongo and Mugisha Muntu. The Tanzanian delegation was led by defence minister Prof. Philemon Salonge and Gen. Alberto Kipande led the Mozambican delegation. Brig. R.S. Ali led the Libyan delegation. Also present was the Russian military attaché. Without elaborating, Museveni said, "I need to retire in order to fight new battles. But I did not want to retire without telling my brothers and everybody about those who helped me in my struggle." Aronda had earlier said the President was retiring in order to have adequate time to continue with his task of transforming Uganda into an industrial country. Museveni said according to him, Nyerere was the 'greatest African Blackman that ever lived'. He said those who can surpass Nyerere's contribution are those who will unite Africa by forming the United States of Africa. He said Nyerere helped in the liberation of Uganda, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola as well as hosting several liberation movements. Museveni attacked European and African countries which he said neglected Uganda and sided with 'fascists who were killing Ugandans. He said the same countries were now pressuring him to do certain things including reducing the defence expenditure. On the countries advising Uganda, Museveni said, "We do not listen to pressure. You can advise us and we can listen. If you advise we listen but if you always advise then it becomes orders. We shall not accept orders." He said he had acquired equipment to fight Kony. "The result of this is apparent with recent results in southern Sudan," he said in apparent reference to on-going UPDF operations in Sudan. In his three-hour speech, Museveni quoted British authors who wrote on the Great Lakes region and Uganda. He quoted details in their books on how the British used African collaborators to fight fellow Africans. He paid tribute to Kabalega of Bunyoro, whom he said for nine years resisted a few British officers who were assisted by thousands of Baganda and Sudanese fighters. He said he was happy to retire after training 3,365 commissioned officers. He outlined other major achievements since 1986 as increasing primary school admittance three times to 7.7 million, university admittance from 5,000 to 60,000 to-date, telephones lines from 28,000 to 600,000 and electricity generation from 60 mega watts to 390 mega watts. He said between 1890 and 1962, the only Ugandans the British promoted to officers were 2nd lieutenant Shaban Opolot in 1958 and Idi Amin Dada. He quoted British authors saying a total of 18,000 East Africans fighters were casualties and 40,000 out of 494,000 African carriers died from various diseases during the First World War.   =============================================================================   Copyright © 2004 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================