By Andrew Irumba
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija to buy new pick-up armored vehicles for all the 453 Members of Parliament (MPs), TheSpy can report.
This directive from the President came shortly after meeting with the legislators both on the floor of Parliament and the office of the prime minister, from where the President launched a ‘12 point security master plan’ following the assassination of the Arua municipality MP, Ibrahim Abiriga.
The President, however, acknowledged that they (MPs) expressed fear having been singled out for intimidation and possibly attack which has prompted him beef up their security as the country awaits systems that will support his security plan to be effectively implemented.
In his letter dated 29th June 2018 to Minister Kasaija that seen by TheSpy, the President begun by outlining the recent murders of the Moslem Sheikhs, Joan Kagezi, Army Officer Major Kigundu,former AIGD Andrew Felix Kaweesi among others, who were assassinated in more or similar way before directing on the acquisition of a fleet of vehicles for the ‘endangered’ MPs.
Mr.Museveni,was very categorical on the type of vehicles and security personnel for his beloved MPs, he ordered for brand new 4 wheel drive pickups with open carriage beds, and the MPs security would now be beefed up with UPDF commandos with Sharp-Shooting (long rangers)! The UPDF commandos and police officers, Mr.Museveni ordered should also protect themselves with bullet proof helmets and jackets not to die like late Abiriga’s body guard.
” I, therefore, direct you to immediately acquire a fleet of new 4 wheel drive pick-ups with open carriage beds. Provide additional money for these vehicles quickly. The Army will use them to guard the Members of Parliament and when the new systems are put in place, these vehicles will be given to Army Officers as part of the fleet of the UPDF,” the President’s letter read in part.
He went ahead to explain that the Members of Parliament will stay with their police guards who are currently doing the security, but he would only add on that with two other elements; the sharp shooters of the Army and the follow up pick-ups that will be used by these sharp shooters.
” The pick ups will be protected, in simple ways, against small arms bullets. The sharp shooters, themselves should get personal body armor and helmets that are bullet resistant. Even the other Police guards should also get body protection,” Museveni explained.
He however concluded with an acknowledgement that this exercise of individualizing security details is a ‘waste of resources, financial and man power’ and that the state would do away with it when the systems are put in place.
This,if implemented will cost tax payers over UGX 78 Billion which was not in the National Budget when it was read last month.
