SFC applauds officer who blocked NRM Youth League chairman from sitting in Museveni tent

The Special Forces Command has applauded one of its officers for stopping Gaddafi Nasur, the National Chairman for the NRM Youth League from sitting in President Museveni’s tent in Masaka.

Early this week, there was a scuffle involving an SFC officer and Nasur at St Henry`s Kitovu grounds in Masaka where Museveni was meeting leaders from greater Masaka region as part of his wealth creation drive.

According to the NRM Youth League chairperson, when he arrived, he was stopped from accessing the venue by Special Forces Command guards at the entrance.

“The officer Maj Rurekura asked for clearance from Protocol. When we called the clearance team, he then refused to act on their advice,” Nasur said.

“Maj Rurekura then uttered a number of statements which were unfortunate but the most outstanding one referring to me as a “Mwiiru”.”

He noted that by the virtue of his position, was supposed to sit in the President’s tent at the function.

SFC responds

In a statement released by the Special Forces Command spokesperson, Maj. Jimmy Omara, Nasur who was in company of another NRM leader from Ssembabule arrive late at the function after the President had arrived and tried to access the venue.

“The security team had earlier mounted two checkpoints, one being the point to the President’s tent (VIP) and the main checkpoint. Mr.Nasur attempted to access the venue through the checkpoint leading to the President’s tent but it had already been closed,” Maj. Omara said in a statement.

The SFC spokesperson explained that the officer in charge identified as Maj. David Rurekuro requested Nasur and his colleague to move to the other checkpoint but objected to heed to the advice.

“They instead resorted to insulting the officer who stood his ground which did not go well with the two individuals.”

Maj.Omara noted that the SFC officer was doing his job as had been set out by commanders in a bid to protect the President.

“It would be wrong for anyone to disrupt an officer who is on duty ensuring that the President’s security is not jeopardized in any way,” Omara said.

“Therefore we should applaud the officer for doing a good job.”

The Special Forces Command spokesperson, however, noted that the UPDF, to which SFC is under will always remain a non-partisan, non-sectarian, national in character, professional and disciplined on top of being subordinate to the civilian authority.