ugnet_: Angry Paymaster Begs to Quit UPDF

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Angry Paymaster Begs to Quit UPDF


The Monitor (Kampala)

February 16, 2003
Posted to the web February 17, 2003

David Kibirige
Kampala

A former paymaster has petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to let him leave the army.

Sgt. Giita Musoke told the Monitor on February 15 that he was frustrated.

Sgt. Musoke came into the limelight in 2000 when he claimed UPDF commanders in the DR Congo tried to kill him for alleging that Shs 300m had been paid to ghost (non-existent) soldiers.

After escaping from the DR Congo he was made an inspector at Bombo Army Headquarters.

He was later arrested along with other soldiers suspected to be leaking "army secrets" to journalists.

He was detained at Mbuya Military Barracks and his name was struck off the payroll after he was released.

"I have tried to meet the president for six months and I am tired," Sgt. Musoke said. "The junior soldiers are suffering because the big people are busy misusing money. It is such vices destroying the army. The president should address the problems in the army."

The sergeant said he wants to meet the president to tell him about the rot in the army, adding that he is begging President Museveni to let him quit the army.

"I joined the army in 1982 but now I am tired and just want to leave," he said. "They should give me my package and I leave the army. I am frustrated. My family is suffering because I tried to uncover corruption."

Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza said Sgt. Musoke should write to the Chief of Staff and he will be let free.

"And even if he applied now, next month he would be allowed to go. He is not an officer, so he cannot ask permission from the Commander in Chief. Even senior officers [apply to] the Army Commander who forwards names to the Commander in Chief," he said.