By Simon Turibamwe
Gen Matayo Kyaligonza has gone on the offensive targeting MPs and their leader Rebecca Kadaga. Kyaligonza is angrily on rampage because Parliament, chaired by Kadaga, has lately been on his case unanimously demanding that he loses his job as Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi. Why? The MPs say that the manner in which he attacked female traffic officer Esther Namaganda was too crude and rudimentary making him unfit for the position of being a diplomat representing Uganda anywhere-even by the Burundi standards. But being the fighter he is, Kyaligonza isn’t taking it lying down. Over the weekend, he hosted visitors to whom he spoke specifically addressing his mind on the manner in which MPs have ganged up on him.
BASHES KADAGA
According to media reports, Kyaligonza told his visitors that Kadaga was abusively using her position to settle old scores with him. He explained that there was a heated debate during the most recent NRM CEC retreat during which his differences with the Kamuli woman MP escalated. He said that during the retreat he was introduced as “His Excellence” Matayo Kyaligonza, something Kadaga didn’t like. Kyaligonza is quoted as telling his visitors that Kadaga was angry and equally protested when NRM Secretary General Kasule Lumumba was introduced and addressed as Right Honorable Secretary General. He said Kadaga, who is number 3 in the hierarchy of the country only after the President and Vice President, furiously protested during CEC telling members “Excellence” is strictly a title for the President. “I have no time to waste on Kadaga. She should mind her business. I know she got annoyed with the recent CEC meeting where I was introduced as His Excellency and Justine Kasule Lumumba as Right Honorable,” Kyaligonza reportedly told his visitors (according to a report in The Observer). Kyaligonza said even before the CEC retreat Kadaga has historically always had a grudge against him which only escalated during the retreat. His guests had asked him what would happen next following the Parliamentary resolution calling for his knifing. In reference to the CEC meeting proceedings, Kyaligonza said: “I told Kadaga [during the retreat] to go and hang because we were not in Parliament where she can dictate titles for different officials. This is a different occasion outside her mandate save for being a party vice chairman for NRM in Eastern region. I suspect those could be the reasons she is revenging on me.” Insisting he wasn’t bothered with Parliamentary resolutions, Kyaligonza said President Museveni would have the last word regarding his fate because he is the one who appointed him. “If his decision is to recall me, then so be it. I would not be the first person to lose a post in Bunyoro. Kajura left, I and Matia Kasaijja were the only two politicians remaining on the national cake from Bunyoro and yet Kasaijja’s [Finance Minister] position is overshadowed by his deputy [David Bahati],” Kyaligonza reportedly ranted. For comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
