Saleh, Jeje, Tinyefuza Voted MPs

By Felix Osike MAJ. Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho a.k.a Salim Saleh was yesterday elected to represent the Uganda People's Defence Forces in the seventh Parliament. The UPDF Council sitting at Bombo Army General headquarters also elected the Army Commander, Maj. Gen. Jeje Odongo and Maj. Gen David Tinyefuza as members of Parliament. Saleh is the commander of the reserve force comprising mainly of former National Resistance Army fighters. He is President Yoweri Museveni's brother and was recently among those awarded medals for his role in the NRA liberation struggle. Saleh, who has just completed his 'A' Level studies, was once nominated by Museveni for ministerial office. His name was later withdrawn after MPs queried his qualifications and role in the purchase of the junk helicopters and Uganda Commercial Bank saga. He briefly served as a ministry of defence overseer before state minister for defence Steven Kavuma's appointment. Those re-elected are Maj. Gen. Elly Tumwine, the 4th Division Commander Brig. Henry Tumukunde, Chief of Military Intelligence Lt. Col. Noble Mayombo and Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Phinehas Katirima. "The elections were by secret ballot conducted by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act 2001," Katirima said in a statement last night. Other new entrants to the August House are Honorary Brig. Lukanga Ndaula, the army medical consultant, Col. Fred Bogere and Col. Elly Kayanja. Col. Fred Tolit and Capt. Annet Nkalubo, who represented the army in the Sixth Parliament, were among those nominated by the President but not re-elected. The Director General of the Internal Security Organisation, Brig. Ivan Koreta, a former UPDF representative, was not shortlisted. Two former army representatives, Major Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Lt. Col. Tonny Otoa, did not contest for the army seats. Otoa is contesting for Jinja West Municipality while Muntu says he is retiring to private business. Museveni nominated 31 officers to contest for the 10 slots. The unsuccessful ones were Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Katumba Wamala, Brig. Ali Kiiza, Colonels Aronda Nyakairima, Livingstone Kateregga, Francis Okello, Nakibus Lakara and Benon Biraro. Other unsuccessful candidates were Lt. Colonels Jack Mishambi, Gowa Kasita and George Igumba, Major George Nkayarwa, Capt. Michael Ondoga, Lt. Henry Rwigyemera and Warrant officer 11 Charles Rwabugabe. Five women nominees were rejected. They are Honorary Capt. Getrude Njuba, Lt. Birabwa Mbidde, Lt. Jessica Alupo, Nkalubo and Lt. Dorah Kutesa, wife of Pecos Kutesa. Museveni, the chairman of both the UPDF High Command and the Army Council chaired an early morning meeting ahead of the polls to agree on the procedures to be followed during voting. He left shortly after the meeting, which was chaired by Odongo. The Army Council is composed of members of the high command, brigade and battalion commanders, chiefs and directors at army headquarters and senior army officers as at January 26, 1986. Ends