Drama as Mbabazi’s guards are withdrawn Chief of Staff Land Forces Brig Leopold Kyanda leads operation where Mr Mbabazi’s military guards are replaced with police personnel. Kampala- At around 4.48pm yesterday, a phone rang and an unknown voice on the other side of the line uttered the words: “You are requested to send your reporter and photographer at former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi’s home”. Asked why, the caller responded: “The army is withdrawing its personnel”. That call would form a part of a chain of events which were still unfolding by press time in what at times appeared like a cordon and search operation. Mr Mbabazi, the ruling party’s Secretary General who was sacked as PM last Friday, was not at home when the events began unfolding. The army, however, later said it was merely moving out and letting the police take over security at the home of a man who has at times been believed to be the second most powerful individual in government after President Museveni. His fortunes took a turn for the worse in February at the ruling party’s parliamentary caucus retreat when he was denounced amidst accusations, which he has denied, that he was plotting a leadership challenge against his boss. Reporters jumped on boda-boda bikes to reach on Nyonyi Close in the leafy Kololo neighbourhood where Mr Mbabazi’s house is situated. There was a heavy presence of men dressed in police and army uniforms. Those dressed in army uniform, some in full battle dress, were heavily armed. Thirty or so minutes later, the gate swung open and more security personnel were invited in to reinforce the contingent already inside the property. A few journalists followed on their heels but were soon forced to move out of the compound. Ms Jacqueline Mbabazi, the former PM’s wife, protested loudly, saying nobody had invited journalists and therefore, they should get out of her home to give her children space. “This exercise is normal, please go; I think my children need a break. There is nothing strange they wanted their security, please go and thank you very much,” Ms Mbabazi said. But as journalists moved out, two double cabin pick-up trucks arrived. The registration plates indicated they were from the Office of the Prime Minister. On board was another set of set of military guards who have been part of Mr Mbabazi’s security detail. Hours later, the former PM was himself seen entering the compound at about 6.52 pm. His entry occurred after all the men in military uniform had been withdrawn. Mr Mbabazi arrives at his residence last evening after Mr Mbabazi arrives at his residence last evening after the operation. PHOTO BY Joseph Kiggundu As his former military guards had been assembled to hand in their equipment, including guns, a military truck arrived loaded with military police officers who quickly set up a security perimeter surrounding the home, slowing down traffic along Nyonyi Close. Brig Leopard Kyanda, the Chief of Staff Land Forces, appeared to be the lead officer of the operation which drew in personnel from other security agencies. Before his present assignment, Brig. Kyanda had been commanding officer of the defunct Presidential Guard Brigade, which has since been expanded into a general purpose and elite Special Forces Command. He was also Chief of Military Intelligence. Orders from above Inside the house, Daily Monitor was informed that hardware like guns, military radio and other paraphernalia was recovered and removed. At 7.20 p.m., Brig. Kyanda addressed the assembled press and said what had happened was routine. He said the army was there to withdraw their officers as Very Important Persons Protection Unit (VIPPU) of police takes over the security of Mr Mbabazi. “This is a routine change of guards; we came to take our soldiers and VIPPU will take charge of the security of Mr Mbabazi,” Brig. Kyanda said. Asked where he got the orders to withdraw guards, he said in the military, they take instructions from one above and that is the Chief of Defence Forces. Brig Kyanda also dismissed reports that Mr Mbabazi was going to be arrested in the process. “It was simply releasing guards, nothing less and nothing more.” A tweet off the hashtag @OfwonoOpondo, the government spokesman, also said: “Removal of military equipment previously used for official purposes is a standard operating procedure.”
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 07:37:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015