Bush war historicals like Gen Kahinda Otafiire and his group are not opposed to First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential ambition because of their loyalty to President Museveni but purely out of greed, Kasambya County MP David Kabanda has said.
“They don’t like his father,” the legislator, an avid support of Gen Muhoozi, said in no-holds-barred post on X.
“They have mastered the art of politically blackmailing President Museveni into tolerating their impunity, which Muhoozi Kainerugaba certainly intends to dismantle.”
Kabanda has had no kind words for Otafiire and other members of the historicals – a group of fighters who fought in the guerilla war that brought President Museveni to power in 1986.
His latest fire-splitting comments after Otafiire, the Minister of Internal Affairs, reportedly used the police force under his jurisdiction to raid and seize the Njeru government stock farm located in Buikwe.
This stock farm serves as a crucial breeding centre for the entire Eastern region and has now been taken over by the minister, sparking outrage among the local community.
“Honestly, even during the time of Amin, these government farms were not given away. So why would ‘NRM historicals’ like Otafiire want to take over these farms?” queried Kabanda.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved the arrest of the farm manager and her accompanying guards.
Disturbingly, Minister Otafiire has reportedly instructed the police not to grant bail to the arrested individuals.
This display of impunity and disregard for due process has garnered widespread condemnation.
The actions of Minister Otafiire have raised concerns about a potential political agenda and abuse of power.
Kabanda argues that the minister’s utilization of “his police” to carry out the raid and subsequent takeover of the government farm is a clear example of this impunity.
“This kind of impunity is nauseating. I now truly understand why Otafiire and his associates oppose Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba,” he said.
The motives behind these actions remain unclear, but some speculate that it may be an attempt to maintain control or secure personal benefits.
“Time will come, and these beneficiaries of impunity will be held accountable,” he added.
Reportedly, on Sunday, Otafiire caused the arrest of the manager of Njeru Stock Farm after visiting the government ranch and questioning the farm manager, Dr. Carol Wabule, about her presence on his property.
Dr. Wabule, visibly shaken, tried to explain to Otafiire that she was an employee of the Ministry of Agriculture and that the minister should address the matter with her superiors. However, her plea fell on deaf ears.
Otafiire then ordered his guards to immediately arrest Dr. Wabule.
Wabule, who is a breastfeeding mother, was swiftly taken into custody on the minister’s orders and transferred to Njeru Police Station.
As of Monday morning, Dr. Wabule was still being held at Njeru Police Station.
Njeru Stock Farm is the sole livestock breeding center for the Eastern region and also houses the only Liquid Nitrogen Plant that serves all hospitals in that area.
Police officials have confirmed Dr. Wabule’s arrest but are hesitant to comment further, as they fall under Otafiire’s supervision.
The 1,099-acre farm, located in Bukaya West Village, Njeru municipality, is one of the government farms managed by the Ministry of Agriculture. It comprises a demonstration farm, a breeding center, a research center, and other facilities.
Unfortunately, up to 504 acres of the total acreage of the farm have been fraudulently taken over by private individuals.
In 2019, Otafiire, who claimed ownership of 50 acres of the land, justified his request to have the government removed from the land, citing rights obtained from the original owners after the government failed to pay for its lease.
However, a 2014 investigation conducted by the Inspector General of Government revealed that Njeru Town Council had obtained a lease on the land in 1967 and subsequently sub-leased 306 acres to the Ministry of Agriculture for the Njeru stock farm.
As the situation continues to unfold, the affected parties and the general public await a response from the government and relevant authorities.