First son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has made specific demands to the US government regarding the work of the national army, the UPDF, and Uganda’s troubles under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Muhoozi, a senior presidential advisor to his father Yoweri Museveni, who was elevated to the position of CDF months ago, says the UPDF has done a great job in war torn Somalia. Uganda has, over the years contributed troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Since 2007, UPDF has contributed tremendously to peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, helping the African nation since American troops pulled out in 1993 after 18 soldiers lost their lives after their helicopters were hit by grenades.
There have been thousands of casualties among AMISOM troops, most of them being from Uganda and Burundi. Muhoozi, the Ugandan army chief, now wants the US to compensate Kampala for its work in Somalia. He also wants to visit the US army.
“The USA owes at least $100 billion for our work in Somalia… We are waiting for payment,” the CDF noted.
Last year, UPDF soldiers were killed in Somalia, with President Museveni blaming the commanders for sleeping on the job and sending their personal assistants and bodyguards on the frontline for money. (See Details Here and There).
“$100 billion is the minimum I demand from the USA. And they will pay every penny! Fast and in a hurry! On top of that they’ll invite me to visit the US Army… soon.”
Muhoozi also wants the US to reconsider its decision to remove Uganda from the AGOA trade deal. The US removed Uganda from the list of AGOA beneficiaries over the anti-gay law, considered one of the harshest in the world.
Gen Muhoozi says the law is “a non-issue” and removing Uganda from the list of beneficiaries is “a crime.”
“What the West never understands about Africa is that our civilisation is older and more sophisticated than theirs. Take for example the very small issue of h*mose*uals. Africa had them for ages, much longer than the West. We never killed them or oppressed them,” he noted.
“For the USA, a country I love so much, to kick Uganda out of AGOA over this non-issue is a crime. All we want is to be respected!”
The first son has also demanded an apology from the US over removal from AGOA. “The USA must apologize to Uganda, for removing us from AGOA,” he demanded.
“We must immediately be reinstated. Then we will talk about compensation for all the soldiers we lost in Somalia. On their orders.”
The US made it clear that Uganda must delete the anti-gay law if it wants to be put back on the list of AGOA beneficiaries. (See Details Here and There).
