Some Ugandans are reading much (or is there something much) into the modes of transport used by first son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo who are both attending the inauguration in Kigali Rwanda of Paul Kagame for his fifth term as president of Uganda’s south western neighbor.
Weeks ago, Kagame won reelection, polling over 99 per cent of the total votes cast. In power since 2000, Kagame will take oath of office at the Amahoro Stadium on Sunday, August 11, 2024. He will thereafter receive instruments of power as head of state and commander in chief of the country’s armed forces.
President Yoweri Museveni will not be attending Kagame’s inauguration but Vice President Jessica Alupo will be in attendance – and so will be CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The first son arrived at the Kigali International Airport aboard a chartered Uganda Airlines flight on August 10, 2024. Accompanying Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba were Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) Maj Gen James Birungi and The Independent Magazine boss Andrew Mwenda.
The Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) top brass – Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Chief of Staff Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi and Defence and RDF Spokesperson Brigadier Ronald Rwivanga – welcomed Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
On the other hand, VP Alupo travelled by road, crossing to Rwanda via Katuna border where she was received by the Minister of Environment of Rwanda and the Ambassador of Uganda to Rwanda.
While it might have been VP Alupo’s choice to travel by road, some people are making comparisons with the first son travelling by air.
“I don’t know how President Museveni looks at such treatment of his top officials,” wondered journalist Andrew Bagala. “The Vice President of Uganda travelled to Kigali, Rwanda, by road while the army chief, who is his son, was flown in a chartered Uganda Airline plane to the same place on the same day.”
To which University professor Moses Khisa responded: “Ndugu Andrew, it’s really on you if you believe Ms. Alupo is Uganda’s Vice President!”
“Probably this was by choice. Just like the big man does if he’s moving to Kigali. Even within Uganda, it’s not common for the VP to use choppers, while many others (prime minister, Speaker, Deputy, IGP, Commissioner of Prisons, ministers) use them often times,” wrote John Tugume.
Previously, although she is the country’s number two, a powerful minister has previously ordered VP Alupo to represent her at an event. As The Pearl Times has previously reported, there are some l ‘president’s guys’ who appear more powerful and influential than the vice president. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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