A section of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Serere district in Teso sub region have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni who also doubles as the commander in chief over the action of the UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces(DCDF) Lt Gen Sam Okiding which violates the army’s code of conduct and entire constitution of Uganda.
According to the petition seen by this website, the leadership led by Paul Peter Emaju claim that Lt Gen Okiding is involved in partisan politics in their area especially in Kasilo county which is threatening the integrity of the upcoming election process.
“Lt Gen Okiding has openly shown support for a specific candidate Moses Edonu in clear contravention of the constitutional provisions that prohibits serving military officers from engaging in partisan politics. Such actions compromise the neutrality expected of the UPDF and undermine public trust in the institutions,” a petition reads in parts.
They further claim that working on the orders of Lt Gen Okiding, UPDF personnel are being deployed in the area under the pretext of community outreach to construct churches such as Ajuba and Akojo churches in Kadungulu sub county and in Bugondo.
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The petitioner alleges that the UPDF General is misusing the public resources and giving unfair advantage to one candidate, plus distorting the democratic process citing a scenario where a military double cabin pickup was seen ferrying bags of cement in Ajuba.
They further claim that there are witnesses who are ready to testify against Lt Gen Okiding on the allegation of receiving threats from military personnel if they do not support Edonu.
They insist that his actions are unconstitutional and also jeopardize community cohesion, peace and the legitimacy of the electoral process.
“The military personnel are shielding NRM leaders like Okae the NRM chairperson for Bugondo sub county by making frequent phone calls to voters threatening them to vote Edon or else they will face it rough,” a petition read in parts.
The petitioners accuse Lt Gen Okiding of influencing local leadership and security operatives which is stifling political plurality and creating fear and suppression among the locals and undermining democratic values.
“These actions, if not addressed, risk discrediting the NRM primaries and tarnishing the image of the UPDF as a non-partisan national institution that Ugandans have long respected,” the petition states.
Efforts to get a comment from Lt Gen Okiding or Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye the UPDF spokesperson were futile since they were both not picking our calls by press time.
