The Monitor (Kampala)
July 28, 2003
Posted to the web July 28, 2003
Kennedy Lule
Kampala
The Lwemiyaga MP, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, has accused Mr Mike Mukula of exploiting the war in Teso for personal gain.
Mukula, a minister of state for Health, appeared at Parliament on Saturday in military fatigues with a pistol and bayonet hanging from his right hip.
The minister said that he had joined the Arrow Group (a local militia formed by the Internal Security Organisation chief, Col. Elly Kayanja) to fight the Lord's Resistance Army rebels in Teso.
According to Ssekikubo, however, Mukula's showy actions are opportunistic and lacking in nationalism.
"Why join the battle against [Joseph] Kony only when he reaches Teso? Why hasn't he been commanding troops against the LRA in Acholi?" Ssekikubo said.
The MP also wondered whether Mukula had joined the UPDF or was simply wearing military uniforms to gain easy publicity.
But the army spokesman, Maj. Shaban Bantariza, yesterday defended Mukula saying that the minister is free to wear army uniform and carry a pistol.
"Mukula is a minister who has undergone military training at Kyankwanzi. Is he using the gun for robbery?" Bantariza said.
