Besigye: Museveni, Kasaija and Paul Kyalimpa should go to prison for abuse of office

Veteran opposition leader says President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, his finance minister Matia Kasaija and recommended Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) deputy director general Paul Kyalimpa should be jailed for ‘criminal abuse of office.’

Museveni, Kasaija and Kyalimpa dominated news December 08 afternoon after it emerged that the president had okayed a recommendation by his finance minister to appoint his opponent in Buyanja County of Kibaale District.

Museveni and Kasaija had met in Gulu where the minister asked his boss to offer Kyalimpa a job so that he can leave the race.

“I refer to my conversation with you in Gulu last Wednesday regarding the above named person (Kyalimpa). This is to authorize you to go ahead with the recruitment process and have the candidate appointed, if found suitable,” Museveni wrote to Kasaija on November 24.

“The terms of service should be in accordance with the institution’s guidelines.”

With assurances from Museveni, Kyalimpa wrote to Kibaale Electoral District Returning Officer James Aggrey Ipeto informing him of his decision to quit the race.

Consequently, Ipeto informed the Electoral Commission (EC) of Kyalimpa’s decision, and declared Kasaija unopposed.

“I Ipeto Aggrey James being the returning officer Kibaale Electoral District, in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act, section 19A 2005 (as amended) hereby declare Hon Matia Kasaija (NRM) elected unopposed as directly elected Member of Parliament for Buyanja County in Kibaale Electoral District.”

But the revelation that Kasaija had used his office to get his opponent as job as a way of convincing him to quit has been greeted with condemnation.

If he got the job, Kyalimpa would be under Kasaija’s supervision – if President Museveni wins the 2021 presidential election and reappoints Kasaija.

But Besigye wants the trio prosecuted and sent to jail for abuse of office.

“The Investment Authority Act doesn’t have a post of Deputy Director General, to which Mr Kyalimpa has been appointed. It’s being created for him,” said Besigye.

“You know where all these men belong- PRISON!”