{UAH} The Observer - Amama Mbabazi link in Kayihura-Kidandala tapes
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The Observer - Amama Mbabazi link in Kayihura-Kidandala tapes
Sunday, 20 April 2014 21:42
Betrayed: Erias Lukwago (R) his deputy Sulaiman Kidandala (L) to explain himself
Even more worrying for Lukwago is the recorded suggestion that Kidandala asked for money from the usually generous General Kayihura. But this 'Kayihuragate' saga has also shed some light on why a government-led attempt to broker a truce at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) failed miserably.
In a recent leaked police recording, Kidandala appears to be soliciting money to "dust" himself and service a loan. He then appears to criticise his boss Lukwago, whom he accuses of "arrivalism".
Kidandala is said to have met Kayihura in Masindi, where he allegedly agreed to work with the government to end the paralysis at KCCA. In a press conference on Thursday, Kidandala accepted meeting the police chief, but distanced himself from allegations that he solicited money and agreed to fail the political ambitions of Lukwago.
"I can't betray the struggle that we have been in as the opposition for a mere Shs 6m; I agree that I met the IGP but never asked him for any money," he said at UYD offices in Kampala.
However, our investigations reveal that Kayihura, who has been meeting opposition youths from different parts of the country, took the decision to meet Kidandala last December, after structured talks between Lukwago and the government failed.
After the botched November 25, 2013 impeachment and placement of 'preventative' police at Lukwago's residence a few days later, government decided to engage in peace talks with Lukwago's team to avoid paralysis.
Museveni delegated Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi as team leader. Lukwago's team was led by former opposition leader Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, who was joined by lord mayor's legal team including Medard Sseggona, Abdu Katuntu, Caleb Alaka and Peter Walubiri.
Mbabazi's team had Attorney General Peter Nyombi, police chief Kale Kayihura, Presidency and Kampala Minister Frank Tumwebaze, and lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka, among others.
Why talks failed
A well-placed government source told us that trouble started when Mbabazi agreed that Lukwago could reoccupy his office. On learning of this, our source said, President Museveni halted the talks and called for Lukwago's file to State House.
"The major issue was not how Mbabazi's team had handled the talks, but President Museveni had already information that Mbabazi was likely to use the success of the talks to gain political capital. Don't forget that the president already had information of Mbabazi's alleged presidential aspirations," the source said.
Another source from the Lukwago camp that preferred anonymity said the second reason for the talks was the issue of accountability in KCCA, on which Lukwago insisted. This source claims that in the talks, the Mbabazi team blamed Lukwago for demonizing KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi over failing to account for funds worth about Shs 200bn annually.
They demanded that he should cease fire and work with the executive director for the good of the city.
"It was after Lukwago refused to relent to this suggestion which government feared would depict the central government as also corrupt that talks partly failed and the head of state called for the file," the source said.
But contacted for a comment, Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi said the talks failed because Lukwago refused to withdraw his case against government, which case has not been disposed of.
When approached for comment, Lukwago was cagey: "The best person to explain why these talks failed is Mbabazi; but as a fact, the government team pushed me to the wall to fulfill their demands and I refused to betray my voters. Whereas the defunct KCC had an annual budget of Shs 45bn, we are running a budget of Shs 200bn annually and whenever you ask for accountability of money we secured as a loan on say the six markets in the city, she [Musisi] shows you only Wandegeya," Lukwago said.
Kidandala saga
On the allegations against Kidandala, Lukwago expressed shock why Kayihura, who was part of the formal talks, went for his deputy behind his back.
"Ever since I got this information from the media, I got disturbed and my deputy has not briefed me yet. We want to get to the bottom of the allegations as an opposition team before taking a decision," Lukwago said.
Museveni's city tour
Meanwhile, Lukwago and other MPs blamed Museveni for touring Kampala projects last week without informing the political leaders. Among the projects Museveni visited was the Job Youth Centre housed in the KCCA house originally occupied by former Mayor Nasser Sebaggala.
"What Museveni uttered that he had poured water in KCCA Act to dilute my powers amounts to treason because he is constitutionally taking away people's power. He is only lucky that as sitting president, he has immunity but we are keeping records," Lukwago said.
Denying having any blood on his hands, Lukwago dismissed Museveni's labelling of him and former FDC President Kizza Besigye as murders; he suggested that if Museveni had evidence, he should drag the duo to court.
slubwama@observer.ug
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31359:-amama-mbabazi-link-in-kayihura-kidandala-tapes&catid=34:news&Itemid=114
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