In a white gazebo tent erected at the grounds of the Junior staff and command college in Gaddaf Barracks jinja, seated are decorated officers and non-commissioned officers attending the 18th general meeting for Wazalendo SACCO a savings and credit cooperative society for the UPDF.
Before the meeting could start, a guard of honor is mounted at the quarter guard of the Barracks, an order of a standstill is issued and no more movements.
A chauffeured land cruiser of the V8, VXR model is let in with a follow car whose occupants are armed to teeth military officers.
Welcomed by the Jinja Cantonment commander, Brig Gen. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, the outgoing deputy CDF Lt Gen Peter Elweru is given a General salute.
The outspoken General was ushered into the meeting and welcomed by the Wazalendo SACCO Board chairperson, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma with a salute.
Seated near the former IGP Rtd Gen Kale Kaihura, Gen Elweru is seen atease.
Time to speak; Elweru stood up with a jolly face.
“I am here to represent Gen Mbadi who is appearing before the parliamentary appointments committee for vetting. He asked to be here but I told him; you know I am no longer your deputy as am now a Senior Presidential Advisor and I can not be deployed by a minister. I can only be deployed by the president,” said Elweru.
He added on that it was only out of courtesy that he had to represent his former boss (Gen Mbadi) because they worked closely well while at the helm of the UPDF otherwise he is now a level above.
“But also I am a member of the Wazalendo SACCO. So it’s good for me to check on my colleagues and see how they are, so that’s why I had to come but surely I am there !!” Elweru bragged sending the audience into laughter.
To show relevance and how big his new presidential advisor appointment is, the flamboyant General said; he is now in a club of elders in the country citing an example of Prof Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya the former Vice president who is a presidential advisor on environment.
Hardly had he finished his speech, than the Defense spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulaigye broke the news that the CIC had promoted the Wazalendo SACCO Board chairperson Maj Gen Sam Kavuma to the rank of Lt Gen and he has also been deployed the ATMIS commander replacing Lt. Gen Sam Okiding who was appointed the deputy commander of the UPDF.
Recently, Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made changes in the command of the UPDF. The shake-up saw the first Son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba appointed to the helm of the army replacing Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi who was deployed to the ministry of trade, industry and cooperatives as state minister.
