GRACE MATSIKO
KYANKWANZI
NRM members of Parliament are free to wear army uniform and move to places within the country without hindrance, it has merged.
The MPs got the much-needed nod of approval from the army authorities at the party's just ended retreat at Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute (Nali), the party publicist said yesterday.
Mr Ofwono Opondo, the NRM deputy secretary for publicity told Daily Monitor by telephone from Kyankwanzi yesterday that some MPs were given a pair of military uniform and gumboots as they packed to leave.
"Today (Wednesday) we have discharged the MPs after giving those who wanted a pair of uniform and gumboots," Mr Ofwono said. "They were about 252 people who attended."
He said the party consulted the UPDF Directorate of Legal Services and got the all clear. He added that it was legal for civilian legislators to wear military uniform.
This asse rtion, however, sharply contradicts the crackdown last year on civilians with military fatigues. Many were arrested and court-martialed.
FROM RIGHT: Ministers Ezra Suruma (Finance), Namirembe Bitamazire (Education) and Fred Mukisa (State for Fisheries) learn how to assemble a gun during the NRM retreat at Kyankwanzi that ended on Tuesday. PPU photo
"It's true the MPs were cleared by Defence to wear the uniforms because of the nature of the work they were doing like drills," Defence and Army spokesman Felix Kulayigye said. "Did the MPs steal the uniforms from the stores? Definitely no," he added.
Maj Kulayigye said the plain green fatigues given to the MPs were largely for training and not for combat. He, however, was not aware that some MPs left the training camp with the uniforms.
Kigulu South MP Milton Muwuma said, "Those who left [Kyankwanzi] late were able to get some uniforms...."
"Personally I didn't get because I didn't want but I would have got if I wanted. What I know, the people concerned gave instructions to those who got because the army attire cannot just be used anyhow."
Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya, who attended the retreat declined to give a firm legal opinion about the issue.
"Are you sure those are military uniforms?...you need to check the facts with the army," Prof Makubuya said.
The Kyankwanzi move has triggered a public outcry.
"I am confused at the sight of a photo of NRM MPs on a retreat in Kyankwanzi donned in full military uniform...Are they soldiers?" Peter Sabiiti of Kampala wrote in an e-mail to Daily Monitior.
"If they are not, can other MPs from other political parties put on the uniform if they wish to? As far as I know, this uniform is for the UPDF which is a national army and not for NRM party. A soldier who wears it has successfully completed military training. What about those civilians arrested and court-martialed because they were in possession o f military wear? Can the responsible authorities give us an explanation please?" he asked.
Daily Monitor established that after the Movement Secretariat was closed, all other departments were transferred to the President's Office but Kyankwanzi was "temporarily transferred" to Ministry of Defence because of its military component.
According to Mr Ofwono, there is debate in the Cabinet on whether Kyankwanzi should be relocated to the National Curriculum Centre or Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"Kyankwanzi is a public institution where anyone is free to go, whether from the opposition or NRM," Mr Ofwono said. "For a military uniform, it is just like a bed, mattress and water at Kyankwanzi just to facilitate training. All the people that have been going to Kyankwanzi have been accessing uniforms," he said.
Mr Ofwono said the retreat also passed a resolution that will enable the opposition send its cadres for a similar retreat at the leadership school.
But the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) said the government was trying to militarise the civilian institutions to create fear among the population.
"If they are trying to operationalise what is in the constitution that every able-bodied Ugandan should undertake military training, then they should go to Parliament and make a law. where is the legal basis for doing that now?" FDC spokesman, Wafula Oguttu wondered. He said FDC can accept an invitation to Kyankwanzi on condition that it cuts across the political scope and that it is not a retreat to discuss internal matters of the party (FDC) because they need confidentiality.
But Democratic Party President Ssebaana Kizito said while it is unclear why the government gave military uniforms to civilians, the NRM may not be genuine in inviting them to Kyankwanzi.
"They may be trying to stem public criticism," Mr Ssebaana said.
The MPs are not the first to be offered uniforms from Kyankwanzi. Rec ently sub-county chief finance officers were given military uniforms, which they later took to their homes. They were at Kyankwanzi studying the dynamics of Government's Prosperity for All (bonna baggagawale) programme.
On who footed the bill, Mr Ofwono said the NRM parliamentary caucus funded the five-day retreat. Overall less than Shs70 million was spent from MPs savings. Each NRM caucus member pays, Shs120,000 monthly, Shs140,000 for chairpersons of committees and Shs170,000 for ministers.
Mr Ofwono disclosed that over 2000 Local Council 3 chairpersons and their respective speakers irrespective of their party affiliations would go to Kyankwanzi to study Bonnabaggawale programme, the role of local councils and decentralisation.
Before breaking off the MPs were taken to an open range for a shooting session to check whether they had mastered the training they have been receiving at the school.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY YASiIN MUGERWA
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