I noted with sadness Mr. Bantariza was mum on the question at issue here: corruption at high levels of the UPDF.
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Subject: ugnet_: Angry Paymaster Begs to Quit UPDF
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 15:37:10 EST
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.
