KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has said that former Security minister Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde went “beyond” in his criticism of government the reason he was arrested.
Speaking for the first time about the arrest of his former minister, the President dismissed the notion that his government harasses all those that express interest in challenging his seat.
“Bobi Wine said that he wants to be President but he has not been arrested. For Tumukunde, he went beyond in his attacks on government but I don’t want to talk much about it because the matter is before court,” Mr Museveni said.
The President’s remarks are contained an interview with NBS TV, which will be aired on Monday, May 11, 2020.
Tumukunde is currently remanded after being charged with treason and being in possession of government weapons.
Prosecution states that that on 5th day of March 2020 at Impala Avenue Kololo in Kampala, Gen Tumukunde was found in possession a modified AK 47 rifle and a Star pistol without valid firearm certificates.
The state further alleges that while appearing on NBS Television, Tumukunde made utterances that if he was Rwanda, he would wish to cause change in Uganda.
Earlier, PML Daily had posted part of the interview, in which Me Museveni told NBS TV’s Canary Mugume that it would be suicidal to allow people to gather for the 2021 elections during such times of the pandemic
” It will be madness to say you go and people gather. I don’t think it will be wise,” the President said.
According to the roadmap issued by the Electoral Commission, the 2021, presidential, Parliamentary and local council elections will be conducted in March next year.
However, the roadmap has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Electoral Commission had reached at the stage of displaying voters register.
When contacted, Jotham Taremwa, the spokesperson of Electoral Commission, admitted that the pandemic may affect the electoral process but said it is early to make any decision at this stage.
“For now, its life let’s first rally behind the President and Government in fighting the spread of Covid19. At an appropriate time, the Commission will inform the Country the electoral programme,” he said.
In the NBS Interview, the President also lashed at his political opponents who accuse him of trying to make political capital out of coronavirus pandemic.
“Who could wish for this so that I speak and become popular?” he wondered…. “rubbish, idiots,” the head of state said.
