Tinyefuza to lead new investigation
By Ogen Kevin Aliro & Alex B. Atuhaire
Dec 3, 2003
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KAMPALA – Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza has been appointed to lead an extended investigation into ghost soldiers.
The principal targets of Tinyefuza’s investigation are former Fifth Division Commander, Col. John Mugume, and Col. Steven Rwabantu. Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza yesterday confirmed Tinyefuza’s new role in the extended investigation. “This is a continuation of [Defence minister] Amama Mbabazi’s committee that was investigating ghost soldiers. Maybe there were hints in the original probe that pointed at some officers. Gen. Tinyefuza is going to further probe into these ghosts and determine whether there is sufficient evidence [against the officers named],” Bantariza said. Court martial explained He explained that while all the 28 officers sent on forced leave would face the court martial, “not all would be court-martialed”. “To face a court martial can mean several things. You can face the court martial as a witness or as a defendant against allegations. But you can also face the court martial as a defendant against charges (be court-martialed),” he said. "Some will go to the court martial to give evidence on some allegations, while others will face a committee probing the ghost soldiers in the army's pay roll," Bantariza added. On Monday Lt. Gen. Museveni, the commander in chief, sent out a military radio message to all units – ordering 28 officers to go on leave and to later appear before the General Court Martial (GCM) led by Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine. Museveni’s message partly read: “It is with much regret that I must send the following officers on leave so as to appear before the GCM under Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine for the perpetuation of ghosts – a most subversive act – and for formenting wrangles in the Force.” Some of the officers affected are Maj. Gen. James Kazini, Brig. Henry Tumukunde, Brig. Steven Kashaka, Brig. Nakibus Lakara, Brig. Julius Oketta, Col. Poteli Kivuna, Col. John Mugume, Col. Fred Tolit, Col. Mark Kodil, Col. Andrew Gutti, Lt. Col. Dura Mawa Muhindo, Col. Steven Rwabantu, Maj. Bakirana and Lt. Kenneth Ayebare. “There are some who are going to be prosecuted while others are going to give evidence. Some are required to give information because by the nature of their positions [they must have known what was happening],” Bantariza told The Monitor yesterday. They shall face the GCM for different offences – including “having ghost soldiers and subversive talk”. Subversive elements Museveni has ordered that all “subversive elements” be prosecuted immediately. “All these are subversive tendencies under the UPDF Act 2003,” Bantariza said. He dismissed rumours of “treason” (possibly arising from a failed coup plot). The Monitor learnt that Kashaka is one of those likely to be questioned for speaking out in the wrong forum. One of his other low points was having a public altercation with Dr Francis Epetait (MP for Ngora County) in the VIP lounge at Entebbe Airport. Mugume and Rwabantu shall, on the other hand, be questioned mainly over ghost soldiers. Mugume may also be paying for his alleged links to the Reform Agenda of Dr Kizza Besigye, the exiled former candidate in the 2001presidential elections. Mugume reportedly donated Shs 15 million to Besigye’s campaign – and the cheque was, according to a military intelligence source, “intercepted”.(This sis libelous unless he is charged. What if they chose not to use this charge against him?) Kazini and Tumukunde Kazini, the former army commander, has been largely cleared of ghost-related allegations. He will, however, face the court martial for reportedly causing wrangles in the army, and for speaking in the wrong forum – usually the army’s reference to unauthorised media interviews. Tumukunde, the former chief of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), will appear before the GCM to defend himself against a much longer list of allegations. The list includes indiscipline, insubordination, ghost soldiers, poor performance and disobedience. Tumukunde refused to go abroad for a course after he was sacked from ISO in June this year. He twice reportedly also refused to report to the army commander for redeployment – responding only to the third invitation. Later Tumukunde wrote to Museveni, asking for permission to retire from the army. Museveni returned the letter to him, and tried to use sympathetic intermediaries to woo Tumukunde back into the fold. Even after meeting Museveni, Tumukunde reportedly still refused to accept any other deployment (outside ISO). He insisted he wanted to retire and “go home”. After court martial According to Bantariza, any officers declared innocent by the GCM or after Tinyefuza’s investigations would be reinstated and redeployed immediately. Tinyefuza and Col. Noble Mayombo, the chief of military intelligence, were part of Minister Mbabazi’s team that investigated the initial allegations on ghost soldiers. Their report implicated several senior officers, reportedly including Mugume and Rwabantu. On Monday Museveni purged the army leadership and elevated Brig. Joshua Masaba to army chief of staff. Masaba replaces Brig. Nakibus Lakara, who is one of the officers sent on forced leave. Bantariza yesterday confirmed that the affected division commanders, Kivuna (Second Division), Mugume (Fifth Division) and Gutti (Third Division) would hand over command to their deputies. Other military sources had told The Monitor that Kazini has been summoned to report to the army headquarters. According to Bantariza, however, Kazini would continue attending his course at the National War College in Abuja (Nigeria) until he is summoned by the GCM to answer specific charges. “He is not recalled yet. He will be recalled when the court needs him.” Wakalo new CPA Bantariza yesterday also corrected some inaccuracies in The Monitor’s earlier story that broke news of the changes in the military yesterday. He said the new Chief of Personnel and Administration (CPA) is Col. David Wakalo and not Lt. Col. Othieno as we had reported. Othieno remains the deputy CPA. Wakalo, who has been a senior trainer at the military academy in Jinja, replaces Col. Kodil as CPA at the Bombo General Army Headquarters. The army spokesman confirmed that Maj. Ruheesi was promoted to lieutenant colonel and is now commanding officer of the 85th Battalion. We had reported that Ruheesi was taking charge of the Fifth Division. The new commander of the Fifth Division, according to Bantariza, is former Lt. Col. Etyang (replacing Col. Mugume). Maj. Dick Olum, formerly in charge of manpower audit at the army headquarters, was promoted to lieutenant colonel and deployed to the 307 Brigade as operations and training officer. Tolit, the former assistant army chief of staff, is not going abroad for a course. Tolit and Oketta shall (if cleared by the GCM) attend courses at the upcoming National Staff College in Jinja. “That is why a brigadier [Ivan Koreta] has been appointed to head the staff college instead of Col. Benon Biraaro. That means another brigadier like Oketta can go and attend the college under Koreta. Otherwise a brigadier would not have attended the college and salute a colonel who was its head,” Bantariza explained. Col. Biraaro is now assistant army chief of staff. |
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