The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
KAYIHURA: Charges bogus, says Museveni but ISO says, it has new charges
Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Kale Kayihura could soon be a free man. President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly said that the charges against Kayihura are bogus and he should be released.
That could explain why, The Independent understands, Kayihura recently received two new Toyota Land Cruisers — one from the army and another from police for his personal official use. The two vehicles could only have been delivered on orders of Museveni.
As a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) general and former police chief, Kayihura is entitled to certain privileges. But given the fallout with President Museveni and the charges he has been facing, many see the provision of these privileges as a sign that the dark days are over for the general.
The Independent has learnt that President Yoweri Museveni has held many meetings on Kayihura and his brother, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh, who is seen as the defacto number two, has also been deeply involved.
Some of the meetings have involved Kayihura’s family members.
The Independent has learnt that on Aug.27 Museveni met Kayihura’s family members; specifically his wife, Angella, and their two children. At that point Kayihura had spent over 60 days under military detention at Makindye Military Barracks being investigated over a number of charges.
Museveni reportedly explained to them why Kayihura was being detained and investigated and the allegations against him. He promised them that the investigation would be thorough.
Indeed, the next day after that meeting, on Aug.28, the General Court-Martial granted Kayihura bail.
Soon after this, State House was deeply involved in aiding Kayihura as he applied for visas to travel with four others including his wife and a military officer to Germany for medical treatment but faced problems.
The Independent has learnt that the day the former police chief was supposed to pick his visa from the Germany Embassy in Kampala he received a phone call informing him that his application had been declined.
The Independent could not immediately establish why the Germany Embassy declined his application or denied him a visa. A close contact of Kayihura hinted that it could be that he faces a travel ban as a result of his work as police chief.
Germany, American sanctions bite
According to sources, heightened interest by western capitals in Kayihura’s work might also have prompted Museveni to pounce on Kayihura.
Kayihura was charged with three offences; two counts of failure to protect war materials, and one of aiding and abetting kidnap and illegal repatriation of Rwandese exiles. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was later granted bail.
Informed sources have told The Independent that the international community has been keen on the charge of forcefully deporting a group of Rwandan nationals back to Rwanda and could have forced Museveni to have Kayihura and others who were involved in this charged in order to show that he had taken the issue seriously.
Indeed, insiders say President Museveni directed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) to investigate the matter after claims by UN diplomats that working with Ugandan police, Rwandan security were kidnapping dissidents and forcefully taking them to Rwanda.
Following these investigations, CMI raided police, arrested seven police officers before bringing them before the General Court Martial (GCM) on October 27, 2017.
The General Court Martial informed the suspects that in 2013, while in unlawful possession of firearms and grenades ordinarily a monopoly of the military, they conveyed Joel Mutabazi; a former bodyguard of Kagame and one Jackson Kalemera without their consent to Rwanda.
Actually, the Kayihura Incarceration is merely a political rather than legal matter, it was a political film written and directed by His Excellence the president and his political architects to show both the local political players, opponents and international community that,
1. No one is above the law in Uganda, he still retains his position as the commander in chief and control over his men in uniform regardless of the rank,
Further, wanted to show that he is a strong believer in international law and hates international law breakers therefore can deal with them roughly and toughly before the opposition shouts, ICC and donors come in to bark at his lieutenants and regime in general.
2. Kayihura ‘s incarceration in the military facility is a fact that the president aimed at initiating Kayihura into a new world, washing away the international and local sins he committed during his tenure as an I.G.P , creating local and international sympathy and show portray Kayihura as a sacrificial lamb.
Therefore, the film star, Kayihura will soon win the cases against him and re- deployed as a fresh man in strategic fatty position for regime survival.