A section of NRM leaders in Serere district have petitioned President Museveni over what they termed as involvement in partisan politics by the deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding.
The leaders led by Peter Paul Emaju, an NRM leaning aspiring MP for Kasilo County say the deputy CDF has openly shown support for a specific candidate, Mr. Moses Edonu Moses “in clear contravention of constitutional provisions that prohibit serving military officers from engaging in partisan politics.”
“Such actions compromise the neutrality expected of the UPDF and undermine public trust in the institution.”
They also accused Gen Okiding of deploying UPDF personnel “under the pretext of community outreach, to construct churches in areas perceived to support Mr. Edonu Moses such as Ajuba and Akojo in Kadungulu SC as well as some parts of Bugondo.”
“This not only constitutes misuse of public resources but also gives an unfair advantage to one candidate, distorting the democratic process. One military double cabin pick-up was seen ferrying bags of cement to Ajuba.”
The leaders say there has also been intimidation of several community members allegedly by the military to force them support Mr, Edonu.
“Such actions are not only unconstitutional but also jeopardize community cohesion, peace, and the legitimacy of the electoral process. The use of Mr. Okae particularly, the Chairperson NRM for Bugondo sub-county to call and threaten other party members into supporting Mr. Edonu,” the leaders say.
” There is growing concern over the Deputy CDF’s influence on local leaders and security operatives, which is stifling political plurality. This environment of fear and suppression stands in stark contrast to the democratic values the NRM and UPDF are meant to uphold. Particularly, the recent deployment of soldiers in Serere has been viewed as a guise which may likely be misused during the primary elections.”
The NRM leaders say if not addressed, these issues risk discrediting the forthcoming NRM primaries and “tarnishing the image of the UPDF as a non-partisan national institution that Ugandans have long respected.”
It remains to be seen whether President Museveni will receive the petition and act on it.
