Three retired army officers who participated in the five year war that brought incumbent President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni to power have scolded Brig Deus Sande for saying the military will not hand over power.
For days, Brig Sande, the commander of Armoured Division, Masaka, has been in the news after making it clear the army would not ‘thoughtlessly’ all the Museveni government to hand over power to the opposition.
“As long as we are still existing, we are not there to give out power; we are not ready to give out power to ideologically bankrupt people,” Sande said at an event of ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) mobilizers in Masaka.
“We are not planning a handover. Actually, we are consolidating.”
But three former bush war fighters who have since joined the opposition have sent a warning to Sande.
BESIGYE ON BRIG DEUS SANDE POWER HANDOVER STATEMENT
Veteran opposition leader Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, who was Museveni’s personal physician during the ‘liberation’ war, says Sande should learn from the mistakes of other officers who have made such statements only for them to regret shortly thereafter.
“I’ve herad similar statements like Brig Sande makes in this clip from more senior UPDF officers. Like him, they were never prosecuted for offences they commit in such utterances,” said Besigye.
“Happily, they’ve since joined us in fighting for change! Advice: guard your tongue and do what’s right. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).”
ENTER MUNTU, TUMUKUNDE
Former army commander Maj Gen (Rtd) Gregg Mugisha Muntu
“There are officers who are well educated, well trained and exposed; some are not. You think an officer like that one, knowing that he is on camera and says the things he says, understands? He doesn’t understand his environment, he has no clue about what he is involving himself in,” said Muntu on October 29.
“At one point you speak like that, there is evidence and you have no clue that change happens!”
Lt Gen (Rtd) Henry Kakurugu Tumukunde, another retired bush war officer, says Sande is just seeking Museveni’s attention.
He still believes the army can be swayed to the opposition.
“People like Brig Sande are looking for promotions and recognition. It’s not true that the majority of the army support Museveni,” he claimed.
“Give hope to the forces that you are capable of taking over power. You will never hear Brigadier Sande speaking again.”
Meanwhile, even the UPDF has distanced itself from Sande’s comments, with the force’s spokesperson Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso being quoted as saying: “The official position is that the army will cooperate with anybody elected by Ugandans.”
Brig Gen Byekwaso’s deputy Lt Col Deo Akiiki added: “Quote Sande as Sande, Army positions are communicated by the army spokesperson, it’s that simple.”
