{UAH} Allan/Gook/ Pojim/WBK: Mbabazi denies role in Mayombo death - Elections

http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/Mbabazi-denies-role-Mayombo-death/-/859108/2961448/-/14xgu52z/-/index.html

Mbabazi denies role in Mayombo death

In Summary

Speaks out. The presidential candidate challenges government to release a report on the ex-spy chief's death.

Kabarole. Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has challenged the government he served as prime minister until September last year to make public report of investigation into the sudden death of ex-Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig Noble Mayombo. 
The late Mayombo died on May 1, 2007, following multiple organ failure, sparking speculations at the time of foul play, and findings of the official inquiry have not been made public seven years later.

At a campaign rally last evening in Fort Portal, the home town of the late brigadier, Mr Mbabazi, prompted by campaign agents, denied having a hand in Mayombo's demise. "I have no links with the death of Mayombo as rumours circulating have it. Why can't government release a probe report about his death. This is Satan spreading the rumours," he said.
Mr Mbabazi's decision to bring up the matter of Mayombo's death on the campaign trail is likely to resurrect debate about other government officials who have died in similar circumstances, turning the deaths into an election issue, and push the government to tell the country what it knows or does not about them.

The late Mayombo had previously served as an Aide-de-Camp to President Museveni and at the time of his death, was the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence. And during his burial in Kabarole District, President Museveni raised more suspicion with revelations that Mayombo had been a target for elimination.

Then action
"Our security services have been looking at criminally-minded characters in the region, who have been saying by eliminating NRM cadres, they would finish the NRM. Mayombo's name was high on that list and, of course, also Museveni's, as the head." 
"But criminal scheming is not the same as succeeding. They have been planning, but not succeeding," he added. Mr Museveni then appointed a committee to investigate Mayombo's death.

"His (body) material will be availed to three persons who are in charge of the investigations: Col James Mugira, a lawyer by profession; Lt [Robert] Rusoke, a bio-chemist with a Master's in toxicology; and a senior doctor whom I have identified, but not yet consulted."
Mr Mbabazi's prodding adds to that of the family of Brig Mayombo. Retired Major Okwir Rabwoni, a younger brother of Brig Mayombo, who told Daily Monitor in an interview on April 27, 2012, that government's "silence" was breeding "conspiracy theories."

Army response
Yesterday, the Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said he had not listened to Mr Mbabazi's concerns and would not comment authoritatively on that matter.
Similarly, the Uganda Media Centre deputy spokesperson, Col Shaban Bantariza, declined to comment on Mr Mbabazi's demand before listening to what he said.
At the rally yesterday, Mr Mbabazi criticised recently retired former chief spy, Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde, and the NRM for allegedly disrupting his rally in Fort Portal Town. In the afternoon, a helicopter landed at his campaign venue -Boma grounds, as it drizzled. 
People dashed to it thinking it had brought Mr Mbabazi of the Go Forward pressure group, who was set to have a rally at the same venue starting at 2pm.

However, only Lt Gen Tumukunde disembarked from the chopper. Several boxes containing items that were not easily identifiable were carried from the chopper to two waiting vehicles. Later as Mr Mbabazi's convoy rode through the town enroute to the venue, NRM supporters brandishing candidate Museveni's campaign posters mixed with them.
"I am warning Tumukunde and his team that they are wasting their time, they can't overrun people's power, the money they have distributed after landing with a chopper at where I am supposed to have a rally is intimidation and illegal but can't stop people's power," Mr Mbabazi said.

Mr Mbabazi's speech was twice disrupted by the public system as it failed and technicians had to first fix the generator and at the end at 6pm, he could not answer questions from the public as his time was over. Hundreds of his supporters braved the afternoon drizzle to listen to him.
Among the EC regulations for the 2016 elections, there should be no counter rallies in the same area where a candidate is scheduled to be. When contacted for a comment, the EC spokesperson, Mr Jotham Taremwa said: "I have heard of it in the news but we haven't received any complaint from candidate Mbabazi."

Last week, the EC banned supporters of presidential candidates against holding counter rallies following an incident where Mr Mbabazi was confronted by NRM supporters in Mukono District. 
The Rwenzori sub-region police spokesperson, Mr Bakali Mugah Bashir, said the regional police commander (Mr Denis Namuwoza) told Lt Gen Tumukunde that the venue was booked for Mbabazi's rally.

Compiled by Felix Basiime, Ruth Katusabe, Francis Tusiime, Scovia Atuhaire & Paul Tajuba

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

Mbabazi denies role in Mayombo death - Elections

http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/Mbabazi-denies-role-Mayombo-death/-/859108/2961448/-/14xgu52z/-/index.html

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