Otunnu questions deaths of Museveni’s past allies

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Otunnu-questions-deaths-of-Museveni-s-past-allies/-/688334/1667670/-/y54wxa/-/index.html

By  RICHARD WANAMBWA

Posted  Thursday, January 17  2013 at  02:50

In Summary

The accusations. UPC leader turns to history and questions the circumstances that led to the deaths of some of the President’s former comrades in the liberation war.

Uganda Peoples Congress party president Olara Otunnu has questioned the deaths of what he called President Museveni’s allies since the Front for National Salvation’s (Fronasa) struggles to date, saying they should be investigated.

Mr Otunnu, who was addressing his first press conference this year at Uganda House, warned Ugandans to be conscious about their lives over what he called “assassination” of state opponents.
He said the death of Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda should be an eyeopener since nobody knew the cause .

“We now speak of poisoning as if we are catching flu. There have been widespread assassination allegations and the purpose is to scare away those intending to criticise the State. It is intended for those who knew how things were going which they were about to expose,” Mr Otunnu said.

The UPC leader added: “And the emperor is naked. Mr Museveni’s methods are known and you must ask him about his Fronasa colleagues. Where is Raiti Omongin, Martin Mwesiga, my good friend Andrew Lutakome Kayiira or Sam Magara? What happened to Francis Ayume, Mayombo. Museveni is doing what he has always done.”

Mr Otunnu, however, did not substantiate his claims against the President.
He also cited the killing of people at Ombaci College, Muslims in Ankole, the burning of people at Mukura and the war in the north as some of the suspicious killings.

But the senior presidential advisor on Media, Mr John Nagenda, yesterday dismissed Mr Otunnu’s remarks as unfortunate, and not deserving a reply.

Government response
“My view is that this man (Otunnu) is mad. Trying to put this kind allegation at any person and later on, the President is totally insane. He must answer in court this character assassination,” Mr Nagenda said.

He warned that Mr Otunnu should be ready to prove his allegations in court. Mr Naganda said during the war, Mr Museveni had outrightly objected to the idea of political assassinations which was suggested by some of his colleagues and, therefore, could not turn around now.

UPC has also vowed to resist fresh attempts by President Museveni to give away part of Mabira Forest Reserve to the Mehta Group for expansion of their sugarcane estate.
rwanambwa@ug.nationmedia.com