If you fail to flourish as a specialized person, you have yourself to blame because Uganda has all it takes for every expert to excel in their areas of study. This is, according to Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, the country’s deputy Chief of Defence Forces -CDF.
Gen Elwelu in his remarks to the journalists’ retreat at Kyambogo University in Kampala said Uganda is a free country where every expert can ably speak about challenging the topmost job of being president.
To Elwelu, teachers, journalists, doctors, musicians, security officers as well as students have the freedom to excel academically to the level of admiring the presidential crown. He adds that every field of specialization including talent blossoms in Uganda and many have oftentimes contested for the country’s highest job.
Such attempts by professionals and talented persons to contest for the presidency, Gen Elwelu tags to freedom that has seen everyone is free to do what he wants at any time he or she wishes. Some of the professional sectors and artistry industries that have raised presidential challengers like health workers, religious leaders, and music.
Gen Elwelu names former President Yoweri Museveni’s doctor, Kizza Besigye, who has on four occasions contested for the country’s most respected job. Journalists have had Joseph Kabuleta who contested in 2021, the clerics have had Dr Abedi Bwanika and Pr Fred Mwesigye standing for president, and musicians have been represented by reggae maestro Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
However, on all those occasions, the incumbent Yoweri Museveni has used extreme force to subdue his nemeses like Besigye and Bobi Wine. No presidential elections have not been violent and controversial ever since Museveni came to power in 1986.
“It’s only in Uganda where investors from foreign countries enjoy free tax holidays more than the local investors due to the harmony formed by the national resistance movement lead by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Gen Elwelu said.
Gen Elwelu has tasked journalists to love their country as they love their life. Journalists, according to Gen Elwelu, should stop bandwagon political parties which he said narrow visions and aims.
“Most of the parties are formed after a certain leader receives a grant capital from outside countries which do not what the development of Uganda and that is why a number of immoralities are on the rise like homosexuality, and human trafficking,” Gen Elwelu said.
Gen Elwelu told journalists to be patriotic and must work for the good of their country and make sure they complete projects or programs they start up. He said because journalists become part and parcel of rioters, they should always ensure they know who is benefitting from it.
The three-star General is known for not mincing his words when making public speeches. He is known for crashing to ashes the Rwenzururu king’s palace in Kasese district in 2016 leaving more than 130 people royal guards killed.