By Spy Uganda
Kampala: President Museveni has urged the newly elected Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) members of parliament to always support his ideas especially the seven priorities for his new term adding that they are for the benefit of the country.
While speaking to UPDF Council that sat at the Land Forces headquarters in Bombo yesterday to elect new army representatives in parliament, Museveni noted that the seven priorities for his new term are the equipment of the UPDF to become best in Africa, more funds for roads, railway, ferries for effective and cheap transport; electricity, health, education, salaries for scientists and security forces and more money in wealth funds like operation wealth creation, youth fund, women fund, emyooga among other government initiatives.
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“When you go to Parliament, please support my seven priorities in this new government, make sure that this time, no bad budgeting should go unopposed,” Museveni said.
Museveni further noted that the primary historical role of the army’s representation in parliament is meant to listen to what is being discussed and then report back to the army so that it takes decisions as a force.
He noted that like many African countries, Uganda had become ungovernable and had become a failed state, “but note that this was reversed by freedom fighters who started as a student movement in 1965 and later metamorphosed into the National Resistance Army that later became UPDF.”
“The NRM/A liberated the country together with peasants. After we realized that the army can’t govern the country and we handed it over to civilians. The country is not ours, it is yours, we are also just part of it,” he said.
Museveni, however, warned about poor budgeting and distribution in the coming Parliament and pledged to challenge such decisions using the powers given to him by the constitution as president.
“In the last 30 years, I have only used my powers against parliament on four occasions. In 2001 when we had a cabinet meeting in Gulu and I ordered that 23% must be cut from all ministries to give defense and defeat Kony and by August 2003 it was the turning point against Joseph Kony. The other time was in 2006 when I insisted on putting more money on roads and electricity,” he said.
In the same vein, the army on Friday voted for new representatives in the national assembly in which Gen David Muhoozi, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Lt Gen James Mugira, Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, Maj Gen Sam Kavuma, Col Dr Victor Nekesa, Lt Col Charity Bainababo and Maj Dr Jennifer Alanyo emerged winners.
