M7, Tumwiine Clash Over Aronda Gen Elly Tumwiine has disagreed with the Commander-in-chief and appointing authority, President Yoweri Museveni over the fate of former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Aronda Nyakairima. By Dickens Okello Honeywell President Museveni says Aronda will not be retired During a meeting at State House Entebbe, UPDF MP Tumwiine stood his ground, saying Aronda’s approval as Minister for Internal Affairs before his discharge from the army would be “unconstitutional.” This is the first time Museveni is being challenged by a high ranking army officer, close friend and advisor on pushing on with Aronda’s ministerial appointment before the latter is retired. The latest development also signals the stiffening of resistance against Aronda’s appointment as the President attempts to arm-twist legislators to have them tow his line. “Mr President, the Constitution and the UPDF Act are very clear that serving army officers cannot participate in partisan politics. There is no way Gen Aronda can be nonpartisan when serving as a Cabinet Minister,” Tumwiine told off the President. The mood became tense as Tumwiine, the first NRA combatant to fire a bullet on February 6, 1981 at Kabamba, opposed Museveni’s stance on Aronda. Museveni was shocked to see even his trusted general among members opposing his stand. The meeting started at around mid-day, with Nyombi presenting his view to the attentive head of executive and the members of legislature, saying no law requires Aronda’s retirement before assuming his position as minister. The President, who at the beginning was calm and diplomatic, took to the floor and told the Parliamentary Accounts Committee that he is convinced by Nyombi’s interpretation of the law. “That’s the truth. Gen Jeje Odongo should not have resigned. It was a mistake which should be corrected. I know why I appointed Aronda a Cabinet Minister. I spend a lot of time thinking,” the President warned. Museveni further said he did not expect such resistance from the Appointments Committee considering “Aronda’s 30 years of sacrifice for thewell being of Ugandans including MPs.” STORM During the Entebbe meeting, some members agreed with Nyombi’s argument while others especially Betty Amongi (Oyam South MP) boldly told the President that Aronda must first be retired. Amongi said Article 208 (2) of the Constitution strongly demands that UPDF officers should not be partisan and “an appointment by the NRM chairman means Aronda will be implementing the NRM manifesto.” The invited UPDF legal advisor told the President that Aronda should resign before taking the position. The officer reportedly said according to UPDF Act any officer who has served for 13 years and above is entitled to retirement and for Aronda’s case there was no hurdle. He went ahead and advised Museveni that if he still wants Aronda in the armed forces, the Reserved Force Act can still bring him back to active service. Museveni stuck to his guns, saying he would go by the Attorney General’s earlier presentation and told members to decide.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 12:20:12 +0000