MPS want Maj General Kyaligonza recalled from Burundi ambassadorial position
Written by Lindah Nduwumwami on February 28, 2019
Members of Parliament have accused the Ugandan Ambassador to Burundi Maj.Gen.Matayo Kyaligonza of being a disgrace to the army and country at large for assaulting a traffic police officer over the weekend.
Kyaligonza and his two military police guards were seen in a video clip that went viral assaulting Sgt. Esther Namaganda for stopping them from making a U- turn in the middle of the road in Seeta on Sunday.
The two military police officers have since been arrested and detained at Makindye military barracks according to the army spokesperson.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen, Jeje Odong told parliament that the UPDF general has been summoned to police to help record a statement over the matter.
“No act of indiscipline will be tolerated. This incident is regrettable and we shall investigate it to its conclusion,”Gen.Odong said.
However, the statement by the Internal Affairs Minister didn’t sway MPs who said something needs to be done to discipline the Ugandan Ambassador to Burundi.
“Many vehicles with red number plates don’t follow traffic guidelines. Most army officers too don’t respect road guidelines. How many people have a right of way? Is that the way we are going to behave as liberators,” Mukono South MP Muyanja Ssenyonga said.
The legislators said it was degrading for a senior UPDF officer to assault a police officer who was on duty.
The MPs said that despite the Ugandan army being hailed for being disciplined, its senior member fell short of the benchmark adding that he should resign with immediate effect.
“Let us force Maj. Gen.Matayo kyaligonza to resign over his behavior. He should also be recalled with immediate effect over what he did,” Butambala County MP, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi said.
Mbale municipality MP Jack Wamai Wamanga asked President Museveni to crack the whip by not only recalling Kyaligonza but also disciplining him.
Since the Sunday incident, a number of people including women activists and several members of the public have attacked Kyaligonza over his behavior.
