KAMPALA – The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change has said last Friday’s army promotions do not reflect national balance.
President Museveni, who is also the Commander in Chief, on Friday promoted over 2,000 army officers, including his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba
But FDC party president Patrick Amuriat said the promotions do not reflect an army that is supposed to show national character.
“When you look at the list of the promotions; the Generals that we have in the army, most of them come from one clan. Promotions are still in one direction and the few that cannot be named that are not in that category are just there to escort the rest,” Amuriat told journalists at the party headquarters in Najjanakumbi on Monday.
“As a party, we observe that there was a lot of illegality involved in these promotions; there was a violation of articles of the constitution that calls for the army and promotions therein to be of a national character,” he added.
READ: FULL LIST: Museveni promotes First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to Lieutenant General
The FDC leader also said some soldiers were promoted for political motives.
“We are surprised that some people who have been promoted in an accelerated manner and this is done for a political motive. I want to ask president Museveni to take note of what we are saying and correct the irregularities he has caused immediately if the UPDF is a national army,” Mr Amuriat said.
Out of the officers who were promoted, about 100 of the officers were promoted to align with established appointments, 97 were promoted due to retirement, 130 were promoted for long reckonable record of service and 49 after successfully completing Grade II staff course.
Those promoted to Generals include Lt Gen Ivan Koreta and Lt Gen Joram Mugume. The others are Pecos Kutesa, John Mugume, Proscovioa Nalweyiso, Charles Awany Otema, James Nakibus Lakara and Peter Elwelu