Gen Kyaligonza: "MP who moved motion for my recall is stupid"

Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza today took a swipe at MPs who passed a resolution last month that he be recalled from Burundi as Uganda's ambassador.

The MP's resolution followed an incident in February when Kyaligonza and his two military police guards were  seen in a video clip assaulting Sgt. Esther Namaganda for stopping them from making a U- turn in the middle of the road in Seeta .

The two military police officers were arrested and detained at Makindye military barracks according to the army spokesperson. It is not clear how far their case has gone.

But addressing journalists at Emin Pasha today Kyaligonza blasted Members of Parliament who debated and passed a resolution to have him recalled as Uganda’s ambassador.

"MP who moved motion for my recall is stupid. You can quote me on that," he said.

He added: “I am shocked at the manner in which parliament handled my fate. How can a house with MPs who jump over chairs and do many dubious things pre -judge me without a chance to be heard,” Kyaligonza wondered.

Kyaligonza said he will also sue journalists for defamation over the way they covered his saga.

“The resultant stories by media houses accusing me of beating people and stealing cows has caused pain to my family and people who value me.  I have already recorded a statement to police on the matter but I still insist that I am a smart person and not criminal minded like portrayed in the media,”Kyaligonza said.

The maverick senior UPDF told journalists he is still waiting to hear from the traffic police officer who claims he assaulted her.

Sgt Namaganda acted in a manner “contrary” to accepted conduct by officers.

Last week, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation journalist, Peter Otai sued Kyaligonza for shs340 million for assaulting him.

“As a journalist and concerned citizen, the second applicant (Otai) run to the scene and demanded to know from the first respondent (Kyaligonza) why his guards including Corporal Peter Bushindiki and Priv. Robert Okurut were assaulting a female police officer on duty. At the same time, he begun taking photos of the situation for purposes of filing a press story later about the incident,” the court documents read.

“No sooner had he started taking photos, than Kyaligonza and his bodyguards pounced and beat him.”

Otai said the beating infringed on his constitutional rights both as a journalist and as a citizen and also undermines the independence of the media.