I have seen and read alleged remarks attributed to the National Female Youth MP, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye, against our PLU Chairman and Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, linking him to what she allegedly described in the media as abductions and killings of Ugandans.
The media quoted her as calling upon young people to oppose such practices and demand accountability from leaders and security authorities.
She was also quoted as making strongly worded personal criticism of Gen. Muhoozi, describing him as a “drunkard” and saying that he should be taken to Butabika for rehabilitation. Such remarks are uncomfortable for us as PLU supporters, and I would like to ask Hon. Kanyesigye to apologise if she indeed made those statements.
Ugandans should acknowledge that under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba serving as Chief of Defence Forces, a lot has improved in our country. This includes discipline within our security forces. In fact, the discipline of our soldiers cannot be compared with that of forces in some other countries.
It is only in Uganda where a civilian can challenge an armed soldier and the soldier does not necessarily react badly. It is also only in Uganda where a civilian can criticise or abuse the President in the media, on radio talk shows and elsewhere and still walk free. This is not the case in many other countries.
It is unfortunate that my sister, Hon. Kanyesigye, appears to have forgotten all this before loudly expressing her anger towards Gen. Muhoozi, whose mandate remains clear: to protect Uganda and its people and safeguard the country’s security interests.
You sit in Parliament, where the Minister of Defence also sits. Have you tried to share your concerns with him? Gen. Muhoozi has a bigger task to handle than being accused of singling out his own people for abduction when he is working hard to protect them.
If you have personal issues with our Chairman, Gen. Muhoozi, please seek an audience with him. He is accessible, and anyone can approach him through the appropriate channels and make their concerns known rather than tarnishing his name without evidence.
Ugandans love Gen. Muhoozi, particularly because of the ongoing efforts to strengthen security and fight corruption. However, public debate should always be based on facts, evidence and responsible language.
Hon. Kanyesigye, if you have evidence linking Gen. Muhoozi to the serious allegations you have raised, present it to the relevant authorities and to the public. If you do not have evidence, then it is important to avoid making statements that could damage the reputation of a senior national security officer.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
